Host range

Host range is a term in biology and virology that is used to describe the collection of hosts that a parasite, virus, or other type of pathogen can infect. The host range can be narrow, meaning the pathogen can only infect a limited number of species, or broad, meaning it can infect a wide variety of species.

Definition

The host range is defined as the collection of hosts that an organism can use as a partner. In the context of parasitism, it is the range of organisms that can serve as hosts for a particular parasite. In the context of virology, it is the range of cells that a virus can infect.

Factors Influencing Host Range

Several factors can influence the host range of a pathogen. These include the pathogen's ability to enter the host, evade the host's immune system, and reproduce within the host. The host's susceptibility to the pathogen also plays a role.

Host Range and Disease

The host range of a pathogen can have significant implications for disease transmission and epidemiology. Pathogens with a broad host range can potentially infect a wide variety of species, increasing the risk of zoonotic disease transmission. Conversely, pathogens with a narrow host range may be limited in their ability to spread and cause disease.

See Also

• Zoonosis
• Epidemiology
• Parasitism
• Virology

References

Host range Resources
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