This document discusses the pathogenesis of bacterial infections in three parts: 1) It defines pathogenesis as the step-by-step development of disease from microbial infection through resolution. Key concepts are infection, virulence, and pathogenicity. 2) It explains that host susceptibility is determined by a balance between bacterial virulence factors and host defenses like barriers, innate immunity, and adaptive immunity. Compromised host defenses increase risk of infection. 3) It categorizes pathogens as strict, only causing disease in normal hosts, or opportunistic, usually infecting hosts with underlying conditions. Transmission occurs through carriers, zoonoses, and hospitals. Asymptomatic infections aid microbial transmission between hosts.