Host
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Host (Medicine)
Host (/hoʊst/), in the context of medicine, refers to an organism that harbors a parasitic, a mutualistic, or a commensalist guest, the guest typically being provided with nourishment and shelter.
Etymology
The term "host" comes from the Old French oste, which is derived from the Latin hospes meaning "guest, visitor, person receiving guests."
Related Terms
- Parasite: An organism that lives in or on an organism of another species (its host) and benefits by deriving nutrients at the other's expense.
- Mutualism: A relationship between two species of organisms in which both benefit from the association.
- Commensalism: An association between two organisms in which one benefits and the other derives neither benefit nor harm.
- Pathogen: A bacterium, virus, or other microorganism that can cause disease.
- Infection: The process by which bacteria, viruses, or other microorganisms enter a host organism, causing disease.
- Disease: A particular abnormal condition that negatively affects the structure or function of all or part of an organism, and that is not due to any immediate external injury.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Host
- Wikipedia's article - Host
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