The tissue tropism of a pathogen can significantly influence its spread within a population:
1. Localized vs. Systemic Infection: Pathogens with localized tropism may cause outbreaks in specific regions, while those with systemic tropism can lead to widespread epidemics.
2. Reservoirs and Vectors: Some pathogens have specific reservoirs or vectors that are crucial for their life cycle. For example, Plasmodium species rely on mosquitoes for transmission between hosts.
