Which term describes agents that lead to different kinds of infectious diseases?

The term that describes agents responsible for causing various types of infectious diseases is "pathogens." Pathogens are biological entities, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites, capable of causing illness in hosts. They invade the body and can multiply, leading to an infection, which may result in disease symptoms. Understanding pathogens is crucial in the field of infection control and safety as it allows healthcare professionals to develop strategies for prevention, treatment, and management of infectious diseases.

In contrast, vectors refer to organisms, often insects, that transmit pathogens from one host to another, playing a role in the spread of disease but not being the causative agents themselves. Antigens are substances that provoke an immune response but do not directly cause disease. Infections refer to the state of being invaded by pathogens, rather than the agents themselves. Thus, the correct term for the agents leading to infectious diseases is indeed pathogens.