October 2017 PMID 29052511

Q&A: What are pathogens, and what have they done to and for us?

Francois Balloux, Lucy van Dorp

Download social card

Mentions

159
Peak: 48 in Apr 2020
across 5 sources since May 2019

Extended reach

1,366,842
potential audience

Total likes

158

Video views

1,943

Mentions per month

May 2019 – Apr 2024

Where it's discussed

  • News87 articles
  • X / Twitter64 posts
  • Blogs4 articles
  • YouTube2 videos
  • Facebook2 posts

AI synopsis

What people are saying

Several discussions highlight the article’s explanation of how a tiny fraction of microbes are pathogens, with terms like 'light read' and 'must consider' reflecting genuine interest. Words like 'didáctico-informativo' and references to scientific research suggest that readers engaged deeply with its content, recognizing its significance in understanding microbial roles in health and disease.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions acknowledge the value of the publication, with some emphasizing its importance in understanding microbes and pathogens.

InterestHigh interest

The posts demonstrate high interest, referencing biological details, historical context, and recommending the article as a must-read.

EngagementModerate engagement

Few discussions delve into specific content, but some include scientific references and personal opinions, indicating moderate engagement.

ImpactModerate impact

While not claiming groundbreaking influence, many posts recognize the article’s role in informing or changing perspectives on microbes and health threats.

Abstract in brief

  • Microbes, including bacteria, are found all around us and inside us, especially in our gut, outnumbering our human cells, and most are harmless or beneficial, supporting health in humans, animals, and plants.
  • Some microbes are pathogens, which can cause harmful diseases by damaging their hosts, and these infectious diseases have historically been the leading cause of death in humans, influencing our evolution and history.
  • Overall, microbes have played a dual role: most are helpful, but some are dangerous pathogens that have shaped human populations and our evolutionary path over time.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Prof Francois Balloux
@BallouxFrancois · X

We wrote a Q&A on pathogens, plagues and pestilence with @LucyvanDorp in the pre-Covid19 era, when this was a bit niche. The piece answers several questions I encounter on Twitter now, and includes its fair share of quirky facts/factoids about infection. https://t.co/ZxLzipTZ2B https://t.co/qiLL6BjT1j

Apr 21, 2020 · 89 likes · 51 shares · 143,168 followers View post →
Prof Francois Balloux
@BallouxFrancois · X

We know fairly little about past infectious diseases. Few pathogens leave distinctive marks on bones. Phylogenetic estimates based on modern samples are problematic. The best approach is to directly retrieve genetic material from ancient remains. https://t.co/ZxLzipTZ2B 2/ https://t.co/8LBuqOt2w5

Jun 29, 2021 · 35 likes · 4 shares · 143,168 followers View post →
Noam Leviatan נעם לויתן
@Noams_Ark · X

קצת קישורים לקוראי מאמרים: https://t.co/xXmS9tKzCz https://t.co/x4V2qMYmkn https://t.co/zyblZfdaBX https://t.co/ni7br2R6MK https://t.co/Wyb8PE6hOJ

Aug 17, 2020 · 10 likes · 3,593 followers View post →
Prof Francois Balloux
@BallouxFrancois · X

@GazetteCoco You're most welcome. For a light read that touches on this, you may have a look at a paperlet we wrote with @LucyvanDorp. For a proper, mathematical take on this you would have to read the wonderful book by Anderson and May (https://t.co/iwPs4tXQVy) https://t.co/ZxLzipTZ2B

Dec 19, 2020 · 3 likes · 143,168 followers View post →
Mg2+ Papi, the BowTied Mg2+
@Grimhood · X

Q&A: What are pathogens, and what have they done to and for us? https://t.co/1FybuPmwsY

Nov 5, 2021 · 3 likes · 133,622 followers View post →
osfa veladoz
@osfa_11 · X

Me pareció muy didáctico-informativo está artículo del epidemiólogo-tuitero @BallouxFrancois sobre la biología & historia de infecciones y epidemia, para tratar de comprender si estamos en situación apocalíptica o relativamente »normal @Davidpati @tduartea https://t.co/6vRGKMTPe8

Apr 22, 2020 · 1 like · 1 share · 4,080 followers View post →

All mentions

Dr. Elden Wayne Whalen III, ShD
@wayne_effect · X

https://t.co/YWxY7CzF0v "Specifically, about one in a billion microbial species is a human pathogen. Indeed, approximately 1400 human pathogens have been described, whereas it has been estimated that there are one trillion microbial species on Earth, the vast majority of..."

Feb 9, 2022 · 1,297 followers View post →
Mg2+ Papi, the BowTied Mg2+
@Grimhood · X

Q&A: What are pathogens, and what have they done to and for us? https://t.co/1FybuPmwsY

Nov 5, 2021 · 3 likes · 133,622 followers View post →
Julie Ward
@julieaward707 · X

https://t.co/tFgbiSOBOt

Aug 29, 2021 · 2 followers View post →
UCL Faculty of Life Sciences
@UCLLifeSciences · X

RT @BallouxFrancois: We know fairly little about past infectious diseases. Few pathogens leave distinctive marks on bones. Phylogenetic est…

Jun 30, 2021 · 4 shares · 2,107 followers View post →
UCL Biosciences
@uclbiosciences · X

RT @BallouxFrancois: We know fairly little about past infectious diseases. Few pathogens leave distinctive marks on bones. Phylogenetic est…

Jun 30, 2021 · 4 shares · 1,899 followers View post →
Saskia
@Saskia51012764 · X

RT @BallouxFrancois: We know fairly little about past infectious diseases. Few pathogens leave distinctive marks on bones. Phylogenetic est…

Jun 29, 2021 · 4 shares · 308 followers View post →
Karl Erbach
@KarlErbach · X

RT @BallouxFrancois: We know fairly little about past infectious diseases. Few pathogens leave distinctive marks on bones. Phylogenetic est…

Jun 29, 2021 · 4 shares · 1,121 followers View post →
Prof Francois Balloux
@BallouxFrancois · X

We know fairly little about past infectious diseases. Few pathogens leave distinctive marks on bones. Phylogenetic estimates based on modern samples are problematic. The best approach is to directly retrieve genetic material from ancient remains. https://t.co/ZxLzipTZ2B 2/ https://t.co/8LBuqOt2w5

Jun 29, 2021 · 35 likes · 4 shares · 143,168 followers View post →
Prof Francois Balloux
@BallouxFrancois · X

@GazetteCoco You're most welcome. For a light read that touches on this, you may have a look at a paperlet we wrote with @LucyvanDorp. For a proper, mathematical take on this you would have to read the wonderful book by Anderson and May (https://t.co/iwPs4tXQVy) https://t.co/ZxLzipTZ2B

Dec 19, 2020 · 3 likes · 143,168 followers View post →
Prof Francois Balloux
@BallouxFrancois · X

@federicolois @PartofIm @maestro_rayo Myxomatosis is still an extremely lethal pathogen (50-95% mortality) ... of rabbits allegedly. For more see e.g. https://t.co/shtEWDcZzC, or even more (below). https://t.co/ZxLzipTZ2B:

Sep 6, 2020 · 143,168 followers View post →
Ian
@nandimedics · X

@Stf841 @DrTarekArab @jw_bagpuss @DrAseemMalhotra The "toxins" you are so worried about are in smaller quantities that are naturally ingested / exist within the human body. As you claim to be a BioSci then perhaps you can read this about viruses being pathogenic https://t.co/dbvaZVYkSY

Aug 31, 2020 · 394 followers View post →
Noam Leviatan נעם לויתן
@Noams_Ark · X

קצת קישורים לקוראי מאמרים: https://t.co/xXmS9tKzCz https://t.co/x4V2qMYmkn https://t.co/zyblZfdaBX https://t.co/ni7br2R6MK https://t.co/Wyb8PE6hOJ

Aug 17, 2020 · 10 likes · 3,593 followers View post →
Sofía Flores Fuentes
@Soflofu · X

@astromicronauta De acuerdo con este documento publicado en BMC biology, una cosa es un patógeno y otra es su virulencia. De ahí que los asintomáticos, sí, están infectados por un patógeno. Saludos. https://t.co/GFojy3GoPB https://t.co/Se1BBR0VK3

Jun 12, 2020 · 1 like · 1,236 followers View post →
Jane Smith
@JaneSmi56759572 · X

RT @BallouxFrancois: We wrote a Q&A on pathogens, plagues and pestilence with @LucyvanDorp in the pre-Covid19 era, when this was a bit nic…

May 5, 2020 · 51 shares · 835 followers View post →
Swaine Chen
@swaine_chen · X

RT @BallouxFrancois: We wrote a Q&A on pathogens, plagues and pestilence with @LucyvanDorp in the pre-Covid19 era, when this was a bit nic…

Apr 26, 2020 · 51 shares · 1,558 followers View post →
Mari Ruiz
@mariruilo · X

RT @BallouxFrancois: We wrote a Q&A on pathogens, plagues and pestilence with @LucyvanDorp in the pre-Covid19 era, when this was a bit nic…

Apr 26, 2020 · 51 shares · 948 followers View post →
David Castro
@DavidCPuentes · X

RT @BallouxFrancois: We wrote a Q&A on pathogens, plagues and pestilence with @LucyvanDorp in the pre-Covid19 era, when this was a bit nic…

Apr 22, 2020 · 51 shares · 633 followers View post →
Bassaces
@Bassaces1 · X

RT @BallouxFrancois: We wrote a Q&A on pathogens, plagues and pestilence with @LucyvanDorp in the pre-Covid19 era, when this was a bit nic…

Apr 22, 2020 · 51 shares · 2,626 followers View post →
Belisa
@belisadeluna · X

RT @BallouxFrancois: We wrote a Q&A on pathogens, plagues and pestilence with @LucyvanDorp in the pre-Covid19 era, when this was a bit nic…

Apr 22, 2020 · 51 shares · 361 followers View post →
David Patiño
@Davidpati · X

RT @osfa_11: Me pareció muy didáctico-informativo está artículo del epidemiólogo-tuitero @BallouxFrancois sobre la biología & historia de i…

Apr 22, 2020 · 1 share · 1,378 followers View post →
Tesla Shuttle
@TeslaShuttle · X

RT @BallouxFrancois: We wrote a Q&A on pathogens, plagues and pestilence with @LucyvanDorp in the pre-Covid19 era, when this was a bit nic…

Apr 22, 2020 · 51 shares · 272 followers View post →
Asieo La Esperanza Zurite
@vortice_2_0 · X

RT @BallouxFrancois: We wrote a Q&A on pathogens, plagues and pestilence with @LucyvanDorp in the pre-Covid19 era, when this was a bit nic…

Apr 22, 2020 · 51 shares · 60 followers View post →
osfa veladoz
@osfa_11 · X

Me pareció muy didáctico-informativo está artículo del epidemiólogo-tuitero @BallouxFrancois sobre la biología & historia de infecciones y epidemia, para tratar de comprender si estamos en situación apocalíptica o relativamente »normal @Davidpati @tduartea https://t.co/6vRGKMTPe8

Apr 22, 2020 · 1 like · 1 share · 4,080 followers View post →
BMC Biology
@BMCBiology · X

RT @BallouxFrancois: We wrote a Q&A on pathogens, plagues and pestilence with @LucyvanDorp in the pre-Covid19 era, when this was a bit nic…

Apr 22, 2020 · 51 shares · 9,001 followers View post →
Filipe Rebello
@FilipeRebello1 · X

RT @BallouxFrancois: We wrote a Q&A on pathogens, plagues and pestilence with @LucyvanDorp in the pre-Covid19 era, when this was a bit nic…

Apr 22, 2020 · 51 shares · 17 followers View post →
Omar Dario Peña Niño
@odpenan · X

RT @BallouxFrancois: We wrote a Q&A on pathogens, plagues and pestilence with @LucyvanDorp in the pre-Covid19 era, when this was a bit nic…

Apr 22, 2020 · 51 shares · 2,414 followers View post →
NeLLi
@NeLLi_LK · X

RT @BallouxFrancois: We wrote a Q&A on pathogens, plagues and pestilence with @LucyvanDorp in the pre-Covid19 era, when this was a bit nic…

Apr 22, 2020 · 51 shares · 4,445 followers View post →
G O
@germanome · X

RT @BallouxFrancois: We wrote a Q&A on pathogens, plagues and pestilence with @LucyvanDorp in the pre-Covid19 era, when this was a bit nic…

Apr 22, 2020 · 51 shares · 599 followers View post →
Yo nocturno
@mialteregodice9 · X

RT @BallouxFrancois: We wrote a Q&A on pathogens, plagues and pestilence with @LucyvanDorp in the pre-Covid19 era, when this was a bit nic…

Apr 21, 2020 · 51 shares · 128 followers View post →
Silvana
@silvana_valeria · X

RT @BallouxFrancois: We wrote a Q&A on pathogens, plagues and pestilence with @LucyvanDorp in the pre-Covid19 era, when this was a bit nic…

Apr 21, 2020 · 51 shares · 2,456 followers View post →
David S. Eslava-Quintero
@dasesqui · X

RT @BallouxFrancois: We wrote a Q&A on pathogens, plagues and pestilence with @LucyvanDorp in the pre-Covid19 era, when this was a bit nic…

Apr 21, 2020 · 51 shares · 336 followers View post →
GustavoMartinez
@Gustavo91m · X

RT @BallouxFrancois: We wrote a Q&A on pathogens, plagues and pestilence with @LucyvanDorp in the pre-Covid19 era, when this was a bit nic…

Apr 21, 2020 · 51 shares · 65 followers View post →
Alejandro Gaviria
@agaviriau · X

RT @BallouxFrancois: We wrote a Q&A on pathogens, plagues and pestilence with @LucyvanDorp in the pre-Covid19 era, when this was a bit nic…

Apr 21, 2020 · 51 shares · 563,027 followers View post →
Eoin Hennessy
@eoinhennessy · X

RT @BallouxFrancois: We wrote a Q&A on pathogens, plagues and pestilence with @LucyvanDorp in the pre-Covid19 era, when this was a bit nic…

Apr 21, 2020 · 51 shares · 1,455 followers View post →
Nikolas_Yezhov, Esq.
@Nikolas_Yezhov · X

RT @BallouxFrancois: We wrote a Q&A on pathogens, plagues and pestilence with @LucyvanDorp in the pre-Covid19 era, when this was a bit nic…

Apr 21, 2020 · 51 shares · 1,309 followers View post →
Ettel
@Ettel_wen · X

RT @BallouxFrancois: We wrote a Q&A on pathogens, plagues and pestilence with @LucyvanDorp in the pre-Covid19 era, when this was a bit nic…

Apr 21, 2020 · 51 shares · 1,903 followers View post →
Впевненно
@PoltWhite · X

RT @BallouxFrancois: We wrote a Q&A on pathogens, plagues and pestilence with @LucyvanDorp in the pre-Covid19 era, when this was a bit nic…

Apr 21, 2020 · 51 shares · 137 followers View post →
iamdeivid
@iamdeivid2 · X

RT @BallouxFrancois: We wrote a Q&A on pathogens, plagues and pestilence with @LucyvanDorp in the pre-Covid19 era, when this was a bit nic…

Apr 21, 2020 · 51 shares · 25 followers View post →
Iiro Koppinen
@IiroKoppinen · X

RT @BallouxFrancois: We wrote a Q&A on pathogens, plagues and pestilence with @LucyvanDorp in the pre-Covid19 era, when this was a bit nic…

Apr 21, 2020 · 51 shares · 745 followers View post →
Maha Farhat
@MahaFarhat · X

RT @BallouxFrancois: We wrote a Q&A on pathogens, plagues and pestilence with @LucyvanDorp in the pre-Covid19 era, when this was a bit nic…

Apr 21, 2020 · 51 shares · 1,999 followers View post →
Karen Hyland
@kah637 · X

RT @BallouxFrancois: We wrote a Q&A on pathogens, plagues and pestilence with @LucyvanDorp in the pre-Covid19 era, when this was a bit nic…

Apr 21, 2020 · 51 shares · 306 followers View post →
Aida Andrés
@AidaAndres · X

RT @BallouxFrancois: We wrote a Q&A on pathogens, plagues and pestilence with @LucyvanDorp in the pre-Covid19 era, when this was a bit nic…

Apr 21, 2020 · 51 shares · 1,115 followers View post →
Dr Simon Ashworth
@DrSimonAshworth · X

RT @BallouxFrancois: We wrote a Q&A on pathogens, plagues and pestilence with @LucyvanDorp in the pre-Covid19 era, when this was a bit nic…

Apr 21, 2020 · 51 shares · 9,142 followers View post →
Dr Ghada Shawli | د. غادة شاولي
@Ghadavirol · X

RT @BallouxFrancois: We wrote a Q&A on pathogens, plagues and pestilence with @LucyvanDorp in the pre-Covid19 era, when this was a bit nic…

Apr 21, 2020 · 51 shares · 358 followers View post →
Zamin Iqbal
@ZaminIqbal · X

RT @BallouxFrancois: We wrote a Q&A on pathogens, plagues and pestilence with @LucyvanDorp in the pre-Covid19 era, when this was a bit nic…

Apr 21, 2020 · 51 shares · 9,478 followers View post →
Schrodinger's Cat
@SVDMatrix · X

RT @BallouxFrancois: We wrote a Q&A on pathogens, plagues and pestilence with @LucyvanDorp in the pre-Covid19 era, when this was a bit nic…

Apr 21, 2020 · 51 shares · 858 followers View post →
Ruishan
@freesandstorm · X

RT @BallouxFrancois: We wrote a Q&A on pathogens, plagues and pestilence with @LucyvanDorp in the pre-Covid19 era, when this was a bit nic…

Apr 21, 2020 · 51 shares · 69 followers View post →
Karen
@TangerineSki · X

RT @BallouxFrancois: We wrote a Q&A on pathogens, plagues and pestilence with @LucyvanDorp in the pre-Covid19 era, when this was a bit nic…

Apr 21, 2020 · 51 shares · 230 followers View post →
COVID19 Experts Information
@covid19_experts · X

RT @BallouxFrancois: We wrote a Q&A on pathogens, plagues and pestilence with @LucyvanDorp in the pre-Covid19 era, when this was a bit nic…

Apr 21, 2020 · 51 shares · 989 followers View post →
Geraint Williams
@geraintx86 · X

RT @BallouxFrancois: We wrote a Q&A on pathogens, plagues and pestilence with @LucyvanDorp in the pre-Covid19 era, when this was a bit nic…

Apr 21, 2020 · 51 shares · 447 followers View post →
Paramo
@RoboTan13 · X

RT @BallouxFrancois: We wrote a Q&A on pathogens, plagues and pestilence with @LucyvanDorp in the pre-Covid19 era, when this was a bit nic…

Apr 21, 2020 · 51 shares · 4 followers View post →
ꀘꍏ꓄ꃅꂦ꒒ꂦꁅꀤꌗ꓄
@Kathologist · X

RT @BallouxFrancois: We wrote a Q&A on pathogens, plagues and pestilence with @LucyvanDorp in the pre-Covid19 era, when this was a bit nic…

Apr 21, 2020 · 51 shares · 6,527 followers View post →
Madhusree
@Madhusree1 · X

RT @BallouxFrancois: We wrote a Q&A on pathogens, plagues and pestilence with @LucyvanDorp in the pre-Covid19 era, when this was a bit nic…

Apr 21, 2020 · 51 shares · 81 followers View post →
BrianSheehan
@BrianSheehan · X

RT @BallouxFrancois: We wrote a Q&A on pathogens, plagues and pestilence with @LucyvanDorp in the pre-Covid19 era, when this was a bit nic…

Apr 21, 2020 · 51 shares · 246 followers View post →
Josh Schmidt
@josh_schmidt1 · X

RT @BallouxFrancois: We wrote a Q&A on pathogens, plagues and pestilence with @LucyvanDorp in the pre-Covid19 era, when this was a bit nic…

Apr 21, 2020 · 51 shares · 134 followers View post →
Matt Bond
@tugsandtost · X

RT @BallouxFrancois: We wrote a Q&A on pathogens, plagues and pestilence with @LucyvanDorp in the pre-Covid19 era, when this was a bit nic…

Apr 21, 2020 · 51 shares · 3,164 followers View post →
Stephen B. Streater
@video4me · X

RT @BallouxFrancois: We wrote a Q&A on pathogens, plagues and pestilence with @LucyvanDorp in the pre-Covid19 era, when this was a bit nic…

Apr 21, 2020 · 51 shares · 1,050 followers View post →
Adan Pulido
@AdanPuli · X

RT @BallouxFrancois: We wrote a Q&A on pathogens, plagues and pestilence with @LucyvanDorp in the pre-Covid19 era, when this was a bit nic…

Apr 21, 2020 · 51 shares · 669 followers View post →
alexis castaneda
@alex_castaneda_ · X

RT @BallouxFrancois: We wrote a Q&A on pathogens, plagues and pestilence with @LucyvanDorp in the pre-Covid19 era, when this was a bit nic…

Apr 21, 2020 · 51 shares · 871 followers View post →
Caitlyn
@Caitlnn · X

RT @BallouxFrancois: We wrote a Q&A on pathogens, plagues and pestilence with @LucyvanDorp in the pre-Covid19 era, when this was a bit nic…

Apr 21, 2020 · 51 shares · 877 followers View post →
Deirdre Gilhawley
@DeeGilhawley · X

RT @BallouxFrancois: We wrote a Q&A on pathogens, plagues and pestilence with @LucyvanDorp in the pre-Covid19 era, when this was a bit nic…

Apr 21, 2020 · 51 shares · 1,550 followers View post →
Prof Francois Balloux
@BallouxFrancois · X

We wrote a Q&A on pathogens, plagues and pestilence with @LucyvanDorp in the pre-Covid19 era, when this was a bit niche. The piece answers several questions I encounter on Twitter now, and includes its fair share of quirky facts/factoids about infection. https://t.co/ZxLzipTZ2B https://t.co/qiLL6BjT1j

Apr 21, 2020 · 89 likes · 51 shares · 143,168 followers View post →
Lucas_Homelander_Hood
@NotAlsoKnownAs · X

@AdamSerwer Here's a fun read! https://t.co/n6GckDI8s5

Mar 24, 2020 · 521 followers View post →
Gilberto Medina
@gilbertojesus58 · X

De lectura obligatoria. "No estamos solos." https://t.co/XRwugfvDcI

May 11, 2019 · 1 like · 313 followers View post →