noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
cause of a disease; pathogen; etiology
Refers to the origin or cause of an illness, including pathogens, genetic factors, or environmental triggers. Used in medical and general contexts.
この病気の病原はまだ特定されていない。
The cause of this disease has not yet been identified.
The doctors finally identified the cause of the mysterious illness.
病原菌が体内に侵入すると感染症を引き起こす。
When pathogenic bacteria enter the body, they cause infectious diseases.
Contaminated water can be the cause of diarrhea.
病原体 specifically names the causative organism (bacteria, virus, etc.), whereas 病原 can refer more abstractly to any cause of illness.
pathogenic bacteria; germ; pathogen
pathogen
pathogenicity; virulence
pathogenic microbe; disease-causing microorganism
Standard kanji spelling; used in medical and general contexts.
Variant spelling; less common than 病原.
Compound of 病 (disease) and 原 (origin, source). The spelling 病源 uses 源 (source) with a similar meaning, but 病原 is the standard form.