| opportunistic pathogen | <microbiology> Pathogenic organism that is often normally a commensal, but which gives rise to infection in immunocompromised hosts. (18 Nov 1997) |
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| aids-related opportunistic infections | Opportunistic infections found in patients who test positive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The most common include pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, kaposi's sarcoma, cryptosporidiosis, herpes simplex, toxoplasmosis, cryptococcosis, and infections with mycobacterium avium complex, microsporidium, and cytomegalovirus. (12 Dec 1998) |
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| behavioural pathogen | The personal habits and lifestyle behaviours of an individual which are associated with an increased risk of physical illness and dysfunction. See: risk factor. Compare: behavioural immunogen. (05 Mar 2000) |
| pathogen | <microbiology> Any disease producing microorganism. Origin: Gr. Gennan = to produce (18 Nov 1997) |
| specific pathogen-free organisms | Animals or humans raised in the absence of a particular disease-causing virus or other microorganism. Less frequently plants are cultivated pathogen-free. (12 Dec 1998) |
| opportunistic | 1. <microbiology> Denoting a microorganism that does not ordinarily cause disease but that, under certain circumstances (for example impaired immune responses resulting from other disease or drug treatment), becomes pathogenic. 2. <disease> Denoting a disease or infection caused by such an organism. (18 Nov 1997) |
| opportunistic infections | Infections that occur in persons with weak immune systems due to AIDS, cancer or immunosuppressive drugs such as corticosteroids or chemotherapy. PCP, toxoplasmosis and cytornegalovirus are all examples of OIs. (09 Oct 1997) |