Definitions of pathogenicity and virulence in invertebrate pathology

Accurate definition and usage of terminology are critical to effective communication in science. In a recently published article, the clarity and consistency of the terms pathogenicity and virulence as used in invertebrate pathology were called into question, and a revision of these terms was propos...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of invertebrate pathology 2005, Vol.88 (1), p.1-7
Main Authors: Shapiro-Ilan, David I., Fuxa, James R., Lacey, Lawrence A., Onstad, David W., Kaya, Harry K.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
animal pathology
Animals
Biological and medical sciences
Biological control
communication (human)
Control
Definition
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Host-Parasite Interactions
Invertebrata
Invertebrates
Microbiology - standards
Pathogenicity
Phytopathology. Animal pests. Plant and forest protection
Protozoa. Invertebrates
scientific communication
Terminology
Terminology as Topic
Virulence
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Summary:Accurate definition and usage of terminology are critical to effective communication in science. In a recently published article, the clarity and consistency of the terms pathogenicity and virulence as used in invertebrate pathology were called into question, and a revision of these terms was proposed. Our objective was to examine definitions of pathogenicity and virulence and their use in invertebrate pathology, and respond to this article. Although usage of the terms pathogenicity and virulence varies, we found considerable consistency in the published definitions of these terms in the invertebrate pathology literature throughout the history of the discipline, as well as among related disciplines such as medicine and microbiology. We did not find the established definitions to be lacking in clarity or utility. Therefore, we recommend that the definition and use of these terms adhere to precedence. Specifically, pathogenicity is the quality or state of being pathogenic, the potential ability to produce disease, whereas virulence is the disease producing power of an organism, the degree of pathogenicity within a group or species. Pathogenicity is a qualitative term, an “all-or-none” concept, whereas virulence is a term that quantifies pathogenicity.
ISSN:0022-2011
1096-0805
1096-0805
DOI:10.1016/j.jip.2004.10.003