pathogen

Plural: pathogens

Noun

• A microorganism or virus that causes disease.
• any disease-producing agent (especially a virus or bacterium or other microorganism)
• An agent that can cause disease, especially an infectious microorganism, such as a bacterium, virus, protozoon or fungus.

Examples

• Drawing too many ’U’ tiles in Words With Friends can feel like a pathogen infecting your rack.

Synonyms

infectious agent