pathogen theory
nounUK /ˈpæθədʒən ˈθɪəri/
US /ˈpæθədʒən ˈθɪri/
The idea that tiny germs can make people sick.
Doctors used pathogen theory to figure out that dirty water was spreading the disease.
OTHER MEANINGS
2. The scientific idea that specific microorganisms cause specific diseases.
Pathogen theory replaced the old belief that bad air caused illness.
3. A way of explaining sickness by pointing to harmful germs rather than curses or bad luck.
Thanks to pathogen theory, people learned to wash their hands to stay healthy.
4. The principle that identifying the germ behind an illness helps doctors treat and prevent it.
Pathogen theory guided the search for the bacteria responsible for the outbreak.