Concept
Vector, reservoir, and definitive host
Transmission ecology vocabulary
VEK-ter REZ-er-vwar DEH-fih-nih-tiv hohst
High-yield clue
Vector transmits, reservoir maintains, definitive host supports parasite sexual reproduction.
Overview
A transmission-ecology concept for separating the organism that carries a pathogen, the usual habitat/source, and the host where sexual reproduction occurs for parasites.
Classification
- Epidemiology concept
- Transmission vocabulary
Lab & identification clues
- Vector-borne disease maps
- Reservoir-host diagrams
- Lifecycle terms in parasitology
Associations
- Borrelia burgdorferi
- Rickettsia rickettsii
- Schistosoma species
- Rabies virus
Commonly confused with
- Normal flora / microbiota
- Colonization vs contamination vs infection
Frequently asked questions
What is Vector, reservoir, and definitive host?
A transmission-ecology concept for separating the organism that carries a pathogen, the usual habitat/source, and the host where sexual reproduction occurs for parasites.
What is the high-yield clue for Vector, reservoir, and definitive host?
Vector transmits, reservoir maintains, definitive host supports parasite sexual reproduction.
What is Vector, reservoir, and definitive host associated with?
Vector, reservoir, and definitive host is associated with Borrelia burgdorferi, Rickettsia rickettsii, Schistosoma species, and Rabies virus.
What is Vector, reservoir, and definitive host commonly confused with?
Vector, reservoir, and definitive host is commonly confused with Normal flora / microbiota and Colonization vs contamination vs infection.
Original microbiology concept summary. Sources checked: OpenStax Microbiology 2e, NCBI Bookshelf Medical Microbiology, and CDC/WHO topic pages where applicable; reviewed 2026-06. Educational only; no diagnosis, treatment selection, infection-control instructions, or specimen-handling guidance.