What is the difference between a primary pathogen and an opportunistic pathogen?
A) A primary pathogen is a microbe that is able to cause disease in an otherwise healthy individual, while an opportunistic pathogen is a microbe that causes disease only when introduced into an unusual location or into an immunocompromised host.
B) An opportunistic pathogen is a microbe that is able to cause disease in an otherwise healthy individual, while a primary pathogen is a microbe that causes disease only when introduced into an unusual location or into an immunocompromised host.
C) A primary pathogen is an environmental microbe that is able to cause disease in an otherwise healthy individual, while an opportunistic pathogen is always a member of the normal microbiota and causes disease only when introduced into an unusual location.
D) A primary pathogen is an environmental microbe that is able to cause disease in an otherwise healthy individual, while an opportunistic pathogen is always a member of the normal microbiota and only causes disease in an immunocompromised host.
E) A primary pathogen is a microbe that is able to cause disease in an otherwise healthy individual, while opportunistic pathogens are the microorganisms routinely found growing in and on the body of a healthy individual.

Question

What is the difference between a primary pathogen and an opportunistic pathogen?
A) A primary pathogen is a microbe that is able to cause disease in an otherwise healthy individual, while an opportunistic pathogen is a microbe that causes disease only when introduced into an unusual location or into an immunocompromised host.
B) An opportunistic pathogen is a microbe that is able to cause disease in an otherwise healthy individual, while a primary pathogen is a microbe that causes disease only when introduced into an unusual location or into an immunocompromised host.
C) A primary pathogen is an environmental microbe that is able to cause disease in an otherwise healthy individual, while an opportunistic pathogen is always a member of the normal microbiota and causes disease only when introduced into an unusual location.
D) A primary pathogen is an environmental microbe that is able to cause disease in an otherwise healthy individual, while an opportunistic pathogen is always a member of the normal microbiota and only causes disease in an immunocompromised host.
E) A primary pathogen is a microbe that is able to cause disease in an otherwise healthy individual, while opportunistic pathogens are the microorganisms routinely found growing in and on the body of a healthy individual.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A primary pathogen is a microbe that is able to cause disease in an otherwise healthy individual, while an opportunistic pathogen is a microbe that causes disease only when introduced into an unusual location or into an immunocompromised host. This means that primary pathogens are inherently more virulent and have specific mechanisms to infect and cause disease in healthy hosts, whereas opportunistic pathogens take advantage of weakened host defenses or unusual environmental conditions to cause disease.

What Is the Difference Between a Primary Pathogen and an Opportunistic