What is the term for the dose required at the mouth of a pathogen to manifest its pathogenicity?

The term that refers to the dose required at the mouth of a pathogen to manifest its pathogenicity is known as the Infectious Dose. This refers to the amount of a pathogen necessary to establish an infection in a host and is crucial in understanding how diseases spread and affect populations. Determining the infectious dose helps in assessing the risk and potential severity of infectious diseases, guiding public health responses and creating effective treatment and prevention strategies.

In contrast, Lethal Concentration (LC50) pertains specifically to the concentration of a toxic substance in the environment that causes death in 50% of a target population, often used in toxicological studies. Lethal Dose (LD50) measures the dose of a substance that is lethal to 50% of a population, typically in terms of chemical exposure, and also focuses on fatalities rather than infection. Parts Per Million (PPM) is a measurement of concentration but does not specifically relate to infection or pathogenicity. Thus, the term Infectious Dose is the most appropriate and relevant when discussing the quantity necessary to induce illness from a pathogen.