What term describes organisms that can cause diseases?

The term that describes organisms capable of causing diseases is "pathogens." Pathogens include a wide range of microbial agents such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites that can invade the body and disrupt normal biological functions, leading to illness. Understanding this term is crucial for anyone involved in water treatment and public health, as pathogens present potential risks in water sources, necessitating effective water quality monitoring and treatment processes to prevent disease outbreaks.

Microorganisms, while encompassing bacteria, viruses, and other tiny organisms, do not exclusively refer to harmful agents, as many microorganisms are benign or even beneficial. Coliforms are a specific group of bacteria used as indicators of water quality and potential contamination, but they are not directly synonymous with organisms that cause disease. Infectious agents is a broader term that refers to any agent capable of causing infection but is often used in specific medical contexts rather than a general classification like pathogens. Thus, the focused definition of pathogens encompasses all disease-causing organisms effectively.