Koch's postulates
- Pronunciation
- /KOH-chs POST-u-lates/
- Category
- Disease Etiology
- Plural
- Koch's postulates
Definition
A set of criteria designed to establish a causal relationship between a specific microbe and a particular disease.
Etymology
Named after Robert Koch, the German physician who first formulated these postulates in the late 19th century.
Example
To prove that a specific bacterium causes anthrax, scientists must fulfill Koch's postulates.
Related Terms
Usage Notes
Koch's postulates have been fundamental in microbiology but are not always applicable to all infectious diseases.