Pathogenicity
Consider what makes your pathogen pathogenic!
o What are the key virulence factors?
o Are there typical “risk factors” associated with infections with this pathogen? For example, some pathogens target mainly children, some target immunosuppressed individuals.
o What type(s) of infections does the pathogen cause? Are the infections associated with a particular body location or system?
o Does it cause opportunistic infections?
o What are the outcomes of infection? What makes this pathogen a health problem?
o What are the typical host responses to your pathogen? ie) does it cause
inflammation? Immunosuppression? Septic shock? Are there long-term consequences (sequelae) for survivors?
Antibiotic and disinfectant resistance and susceptibility
o What is known about the range of antibiotic/antiviral drug or disinfectant resistance of this pathogen?
o What types of antimicrobial agents are effective against this pathogen?
o Are specific sterilization and disinfection routines in place for dealing with this pathogen in healthcare settings?
Epidemiology and related issues
o Where is this pathogen found in the environment? For example, is it normally associated with humans, other animals, plants, soil, water or other environments? Is it typically part of the normal human microbiota? Why is this pathogen often a cause of nosocomial infections? Is your pathogen associated with certain environments, reservoirs or vectors? What is/are the method(s) of transmission – ie) how is this pathogen usually spread?
o Defending the public: Are there strategies that should be used to reduce spread of this pathogen in the community? Is there an immunization strategy available to prevent infection with this pathogen? If not, is there research being done to develop one?
o International health care settings: is this pathogen an issue in Ontario, in Canada, in specific regions of the world, or is it an international problem?
