👉 Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, is a critical process that helps maintain tissue homeostasis and prevent disease by eliminating damaged or unnecessary cells. Infection, on the other hand, occurs when pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites invade and multiply within a host's body, often disrupting normal cellular functions. The interaction between infection and apoptosis is complex: some pathogens can manipulate apoptosis to their advantage, either by inducing it to spread more efficiently or by inhibiting it to prolong their survival. Conversely, the host's immune response, which includes mechanisms that trigger apoptosis in infected cells, plays a crucial role in controlling and eliminating infections, thereby protecting the organism from disease.
