👉 Infection, a critical process in microbiology, refers to the invasion of a host by pathogenic microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites. This complex interaction begins when these pathogens breach the body's defenses, often through breaches in physical barriers like skin or mucous membranes. Once inside, they multiply and can cause disease by disrupting normal cellular functions, triggering immune responses, or producing toxins. The five stages of infection—adhesion, invasion, colonization, proliferation, and dissemination—describe this process in detail. Adhesion involves the pathogen attaching to host cells; invasion is the entry into host tissues; colonization refers to the establishment of a stable presence; proliferation is the rapid multiplication of the pathogens; and dissemination involves the spread of the infection to new sites within the host. Understanding these stages is crucial for developing effective treatments and preventive measures against infectious diseases.
