What are microorganisms capable of causing disease known as?

Microorganisms capable of causing disease are referred to as pathogens. This term encompasses a variety of infectious agents, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites that can lead to illness in a host. Understanding the role of pathogens is crucial in infectious disease research and prevention, as they are the primary targets for therapeutic interventions.

In contrast, other terms like microbiomes refer to the diverse communities of microorganisms that typically coexist with humans and do not necessarily cause disease; they often play beneficial roles such as aiding digestion and enhancing the immune system. Probiotics are specific types of beneficial bacteria aimed at promoting health and preventing certain diseases, so they are not associated with disease causation. The term infectants is not commonly used in microbiology to describe disease-causing microorganisms. Therefore, the clear designation of pathogens highlights their critical role in the study of infectious diseases.