What is the invasion of body tissue by disease-causing pathogens called?

The invasion of body tissue by disease-causing pathogens is termed infection. An infection occurs when microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites, enter the body, multiply, and cause disease. This can happen in various ways, such as through breaks in the skin, inhalation, or ingestion. The presence of pathogens in the body can lead to an immune response, which may cause symptoms that vary depending on the type of pathogen involved and the part of the body affected.

The other terms provided focus on different aspects of disease and healing. Inflammation refers to the body's response to injury or infection, characterized by redness, swelling, heat, and pain, but it is not the act of the pathogens invading the body itself. General infection is not a standard term used in medical literature, indicating a more specific condition. Local infection describes an infection that is limited to a specific area of the body, as opposed to a systemic infection, which affects the entire body; while it provides context, it does not encapsulate the broader definition of an infection as a whole. Therefore, the term that most accurately defines the invasion of body tissue by pathogens is infection.