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GlossaryOpportunistic pathogen

microorganism causing disease in weakened immune systems

An opportunistic pathogen is a type of microorganism that normally doesn't cause disease in a healthy individual but can lead to infections when the person's immune system is weakened or compromised. For example, people with conditions like HIV/AIDS, undergoing chemotherapy, or taking immunosuppressive drugs are more susceptible to these pathogens.

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research Opportunistic pathogenic fungal co-infections are prevalent in critically ill COVID-19 patients: Are they risk factors for disease severity?

17 citations , October 2020 in “South African Medical Journal”

Fungal infections are common in severe COVID-19 cases but their impact on disease severity is unclear.

research The human innate immune protein calprotectin elicits a multi-metal starvation response inPseudomonas aeruginosa

May 2021 in “bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)”

Calprotectin starves Pseudomonas aeruginosa of essential metals, affecting its growth and resistance.

research Pityrosporum species as a cause of allergy and infection

89 citations , May 1999 in “Allergy”

The yeast Pityrosporum ovale can cause skin allergies and infections, and antifungal treatments like ketoconazole are effective against it.

research Analysis of skin mycobiota associated with alopecia in captive cynomolgus macaques (Macaca fascicularis) based on Oxford Nanopore Technologies

November 2025 in “F1000Research”

Certain fungi may contribute to hair loss in cynomolgus macaques.

research Natural pathogens of laboratory animals and their effects on research

28 citations , January 2000 in “Medical Mycology”

Fungal infections in lab animals can interfere with research.

research Clonal expansion from standing genetic variation underpins the evolution of an emerging plant pathogen in Australia

2 citations , December 2024

The plant pathogen in Australia evolves through existing genetic variation, not new genotypes.

research 516 Possible role of ILC1 in the pathogenesis of alopecia areata (AA)

3 citations , April 2019 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology”

ILC1 cells contribute to hair loss in alopecia areata.

research Cerebral vasculitis as a severe complication of acute infectious meningoencephalitis—a case series of five different pathogens

1 citations , November 2025 in “Wiener Medizinische Wochenschrift”

Infectious cerebral vasculitis can be a severe complication of meningoencephalitis, regardless of the pathogen.

Integrated Safety Analysis of Ritlecitinib, an Oral JAK3/TEC Family Kinase Inhibitor, for the Treatment of Alopecia Areata from the ALLEGRO Clinical Trial Program

research Integrated Safety Analysis of Ritlecitinib, an Oral JAK3/TEC Family Kinase Inhibitor, for the Treatment of Alopecia Areata from the ALLEGRO Clinical Trial Program

January 2024 in “American journal of clinical dermatology”

Ritlecitinib is safe and well-tolerated for treating alopecia areata in patients aged 12 and older.

Combination of an Engineered Lactococcus Lactis Expressing CXCL12 with Light-Emitting Diode Yellow Light as a Treatment for Scalded Skin in Mice

research Combination of an engineered Lactococcus lactis expressing CXCL12 with light‐emitting diode yellow light as a treatment for scalded skin in mice

6 citations , July 2021 in “Microbial biotechnology”

The combined treatment with engineered bacteria and yellow LED light improved wound healing in mice.

research Analysis of the scalp of women with AIDS subjected to autopsy: epithelial, follicular, and immunologic aspects

3 citations , August 2012 in “Annals of Diagnostic Pathology”

AIDS may cause changes in the scalp that increase infection risk and hair loss.

research Evaluation of Animal Models Suitable for Hair Research and Regeneration

3 citations , May 2018 in “InTech eBooks”

Animal models, especially mice, are essential for advancing hair loss research and treatment.

research Pathogenicity and enzyme screening of some selected non-dermatophytic moulds

1 citations , June 2024 in “Access Microbiology”

Some moulds can cause skin issues and produce enzymes that may increase their harmfulness.

research T cell and bacterial microbiota interaction at intestinal and skin epithelial interfaces

January 2023 in “Discovery immunology”

T cells and bacteria in the gut and skin help maintain health and protect against disease.

research Distinct Phenotypic and Genomic Signatures Underlie Contrasting Pathogenic Potential of Staphylococcus epidermidis Clonal Lineages

37 citations , August 2019 in “Frontiers in Microbiology”

Staphylococcus epidermidis A/C strains are more antibiotic-resistant and infection-adapted, while B strains thrive in hair follicles.

research Inflammatory bowel disease: pathogenesis, diagnosis and current therapeutic approach

13 citations , April 2022 in “Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences”

IBD treatment is complex and requires personalized approaches due to varying patient responses.

research Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Activities of Abietic Acid against Skin-Associated Opportunistic Microorganisms

February 2026 in “Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology”

Abietic acid from pine rosin can effectively fight and reduce harmful skin microbes.

research Skin Barrier Dysfunction in Acne Vulgaris: Pathogenesis and Therapeutic Approaches

18 citations , October 2024 in “Medical Science Monitor”

Improving skin barrier function is crucial for better acne treatment.

research New developments in our understanding of acne pathogenesis and treatment

466 citations , June 2009 in “Experimental dermatology”

We now understand more about what causes acne and this could lead to better, more personalized treatments.

research Dissecting Cellulitis of the Scalp: Linking Pathogenesis to Therapy

March 2026 in “Biomedicines”

New treatments like biologics and JAK inhibitors show promise for severe scalp inflammation when traditional methods fail.

research Weathering the Storm: Harnessing the Resolution of Inflammation to Limit COVID-19 Pathogenesis

17 citations , May 2022 in “Frontiers in Immunology”

Reprogramming macrophages to resolve inflammation can help reduce severe COVID-19 complications.

research The Mechanism and Research Progress of Skin Microbiota in Pathogenesis of Acne

January 2025 in “Dermatology Research and Practice”

Restoring skin microbial balance may help treat acne.

research Role of Endolysosomes in Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 Infection and Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pathogenesis: Implications for Potential Treatments

55 citations , October 2020 in “Frontiers in Pharmacology”

Targeting endolysosomes may help treat COVID-19.

Repurposing Finasteride And Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors As Novel Antimicrobials: A Dual-Action Approach To Target Bacterial And Fungal Pathogens

research Repurposing Finasteride and Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors as Novel Antimicrobials: A Dual-Action Approach to Target Bacterial and Fungal Pathogens

March 2026 in “Frontiers in Bioscience-Elite”

Duloxetine, escitalopram, and finasteride may be effective against bacteria and fungi.

research Demodex mites

81 citations , February 2014 in “Clinics in dermatology”

Demodex mites can cause skin issues, especially in people with weak immune systems.

The Skin Mycobiome and Intermicrobial Interactions in the Cutaneous Niche

research Oral Lichen Planus

7 citations , July 2013 in “InTech eBooks”

Oral lichen planus is a chronic disease causing mouth discomfort and sometimes needs immunosuppressive treatment.