Botulism is considered to be ______, meaning that it is capable of causing illness by introducing pathogens into the host.

Botulism is considered to be ______, meaning that it is capable of causing illness by introducing pathogens into the host.

• A. Infectious
• B. Contagious
• C. Genetic
• D. Nonpathogenic

Answer: (A)

Infectious processes involve disease caused by a pathogen or its products entering the body. Botulism fits this because illness results from a pathogen (Clostridium botulinum) or its toxin entering or acting in the host to cause disease. It’s not contagious, since it does not spread from person to person through typical contact. It isn’t genetic, or nonpathogenic, because the condition arises from a pathogenic organism or its toxin and causes illness. So infectious is the best descriptor because it captures the role of a pathogen-derived factor in producing disease.

Infectious processes involve disease caused by a pathogen or its products entering the body. Botulism fits this because illness results from a pathogen (Clostridium botulinum) or its toxin entering or acting in the host to cause disease. It’s not contagious, since it does not spread from person to person through typical contact. It isn’t genetic, or nonpathogenic, because the condition arises from a pathogenic organism or its toxin and causes illness. So infectious is the best descriptor because it captures the role of a pathogen-derived factor in producing disease.