Difference Between Pathophysiology and Pathogenesis

The key difference between pathophysiology and pathogenesis is that pathophysiology explains conditions typically observed during a disease state as well as the processes or mechanisms operating within an organism while pathogenesis explains the origin and development of a disease and whether the disease is acute, chronic or recurrent.

Pathophysiology and pathogenesis are two similar terms used to explain the occurrence of a disease and related mechanisms and characteristics. Pathophysiology concerns the conditions observed during a disease state and the processes going on within an organism. Pathogenesis mainly focuses on the origin and development of a disease. Both studies are important in diagnosing a disease and preventing the spread of it.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Pathophysiology 
3. What is Pathogenesis
4. Similarities Between Pathophysiology and Pathogenesis
5. Side by Side Comparison – Pathophysiology vs Pathogenesis in Tabular Form
6. Summary

What is Pathophysiology?

Pathophysiology is the convergence of pathology and physiology of a disease. Thus, it primarily focuses on conditions typically observed during a disease state and the processes or mechanisms operating within an organism. Hence, the function and symptoms of diseased organs are the main focuses in pathophysiology.

Overall, pathophysiology describes the functional changes resulting from disease or injury or the physiological process exerted in the body in response to the infection. Therefore, pathophysiology encompasses disease and aetiology, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis.

What is Pathogenesis?

Pathogenesis is a broad term that refers to the biological mechanisms that cause the origin and development of a disease by a pathogen. In simple words, pathogenesis describes the gradual showing of morphological features of a disease. In fact, it is a result of the complex interaction between the pathogen and the host immune system. Pathogen influences the host immune system and creates the disease. Every pathogen uses a mechanism to infect its host and create the disease. Some microbes produce and secrete cell surface and extracellular proteins to damage the host cells and tissue and to interfere with the host immune system. Microbial infection, inflammation, malignancy and tissue breakdown are several mechanisms used by pathogens to cause illnesses.

Pathogenesis depends on both microbial and host factors. A good understanding of the pathogenesis of a disease is very important to prevent, minimize the rate of spread and in curing it. Therefore, it is necessary to have the knowledge from the entry point of the infectious agent to multiplication, spread, tissue damage and production of an immune response. Moreover, the appearance of clinical signs and symptoms are a part of the pathogenesis.  Hence, each stage of the infection is a concern in the accurate diagnosis, and for recommending the appropriate treatment.

What are the Similarities Between Pathophysiology and Pathogenesis?

• Pathophysiology and pathogenesis are two terms that describe the characteristics of a disease.
• They are useful in diagnosing and preventing a disease.

What is the Difference Between Pathophysiology and Pathogenesis?

Pathogenesis explains the origin and development of a disease while pathophysiology explains the disordered physiological processes associated with a disease or injury. So, this is the key difference between pathophysiology and pathogenesis. Moreover, pathogenesis comes first, and pathophysiology comes after that. However, both are related to each other and important in disease prevention and management.

Summary – Pathophysiology vs Pathogenesis

In summarizing the difference between pathophysiology and pathogenesis, the pathophysiology is the study of functional changes resulting from disease or injury in the body. In contrast, pathogenesis refers to the origin and development of a disease. It explains the chain of events starting from the entry point of the pathogen to signs and symptoms of the disease. Both areas are important in managing and preventing diseases.

Reference:

1. “Pathogenesis: Of Host and Pathogen.” Nature News, Nature Publishing Group, Available here.
2. “Pathophysiology.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 9 June 2019, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “HRS and ascites pathophysiology” By Samir at en.wikipedia (CC BY 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Overview of HSP pathogenesis on cellular level. Identified affected genes in each pathway are depicted” By Hmyr nn – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia