Outline 6 characteristics of pathogenesis phase of a disease?

1. Invasion: During the pathogenesis phase, the disease-causing agent invades the host's body. This can occur through various means such as inhalation, ingestion, or direct contact with the agent.

2. Adherence: Once the pathogen enters the host's body, it must adhere to specific cells or tissues in order to establish an infection. This is often facilitated by the presence of specific receptors on the surface of the host cells that the pathogen can bind to.

3. Colonization: After adherence, the pathogen multiplies and establishes a population within the host's body. This colonization can occur in various locations depending on the specific disease, such as the respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract, or bloodstream.

4. Evasion of host defenses: Pathogens have evolved various mechanisms to evade or subvert the host's immune system. They may produce proteins or molecules that inhibit the immune response, change their surface antigens to avoid recognition, or hide within host cells to avoid detection.

5. Damage to host tissues: As the pathogen continues to multiply and spread within the host, it can cause damage to the host's tissues. This damage can occur through direct destruction of cells, production of toxins, or induction of an excessive immune response that leads to tissue inflammation and injury.

6. Spread to other hosts: Finally, during the pathogenesis phase, the pathogen may spread from the initial host to other individuals. This can occur through various means such as direct contact, respiratory droplets, contaminated food or water, or vectors like mosquitoes or ticks. The ability of a pathogen to spread to new hosts is crucial for its survival and persistence in a population.