Organisms That Cause Disease Only When the Body's Defences Are

Question

Organisms that cause disease only when the body's defences are lowered are called
A)contaminants.
B)commensals.
C)transient.
D)opportunists.
E)colonisers.

Accepted Answer

Organisms that cause disease only when the body's defenses are lowered are known as opportunistic pathogens or opportunists. These pathogens usually do not pose a threat to people with healthy immune systems, but they can cause serious infections in people with weakened immune systems or those who are undergoing medical procedures or treatments that suppress the immune system.