This document discusses infection, including its classification, sources, modes of transmission, and factors that influence pathogenicity. It defines saprophytes, commensals, and pathogens. Infections can be primary, secondary, local, cross, or nosocomial. Sources of infection include humans, animals, insects, soil, water, and food. Pathogens can be transmitted via contact, inhalation, ingestion, inoculation, insects, congenitally, or iatrogenically. Factors like transmissibility, adhesion, toxins, and host defenses influence a microbe's ability to cause disease.