Those components of an organism that determine its capacity to cause disease but are not required for its viability per se. Two classes have been characterized: TOXINS, BIOLOGICAL and surface adhesion molecules that effect the ability of the microorganism to invade and colonize a host. (From Davis et al., Microbiology, 4th ed. p486)

Synonyms: Pathogenicity Factor, 0, Pathogenicity Factors, Virulence Factor, Factors, Virulence, Factor, Pathogenicity, Factors, Pathogenicity, Virulence Factors, Factor, Virulence