The pathogenesis of a disease is the mechanism by which the disease is caused. The term can also be used to describe the origin and development of the disease and whether it is acute, chronic or recurrent. The word comes from the Greek pathos, "disease", and genesis, "creation".
Types of pathogenesis include microbial infection, inflammation, malignancy and tissue breakdown.
Most diseases are caused by multiple pathogenetical processes together. For example, certain cancers arise from dysfunction of the immune system (skin tumors and lymphoma after a renal transplant, which requires immunosuppression).
Often, a potential etiology is identified by epidemiological observations before a pathological link can be drawn between the cause and the disease.
Other articles related to "pathogenesis":
... Although the exact pathogenesis is poorly understood, serum sickness-like reactions are thought to originate from an abnormal inflammatory reaction that occurs ...
... The pathogenesis of PMF is complicated, but involves two main routes - an immunological route, and a mechanical route ... well as reduced motility of cells, is fundamental to the pathogenesis of pneumoconiosis and the accompanying inflammation, fibrosis, and emphysema ... also some mechanical factors involved in the pathogenesis of Complex Pneumoconiosis that should be considered ...
... a possible role for this protein in HD pathogenesis ... and postulated that this indicated HAP1 in pre-aggregate related HD pathogenesis ... The role of HAP1 in HD pathogenesis may involve aberration of cell cycle processes, as high immunostaining of HAP1 during the cell cycle has been observed ...