Difference between revisions of "Infectious Agents - Overview"
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==Introduction== | ==Introduction== | ||
| − | + | Infectious agents are microorganisms found in nature that | |
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are harmful to animals and plants. Most microorganisms found in nature are not | are harmful to animals and plants. Most microorganisms found in nature are not | ||
harmful, however some microorganisms can cause disease and are therefore | harmful, however some microorganisms can cause disease and are therefore | ||
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categories of veterinary interest are bacteria, fungi, protozoa, viruses and | categories of veterinary interest are bacteria, fungi, protozoa, viruses and | ||
prions, although a wide array of other microorganisms also exist such as algae. | prions, although a wide array of other microorganisms also exist such as algae. | ||
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Revision as of 14:14, 3 August 2010
Introduction
Infectious agents are microorganisms found in nature that are harmful to animals and plants. Most microorganisms found in nature are not harmful, however some microorganisms can cause disease and are therefore referred to as pathogenic.
Microorganisms are categorised into distinct types. The main categories of veterinary interest are bacteria, fungi, protozoa, viruses and prions, although a wide array of other microorganisms also exist such as algae.