The term used to describe a disease-causing microorganism is
These âbad-newsâ microbes are called disease-causing microbes and can make humans, animals and plants sick by causing infection and disease. Most microbes belong to four major groups: bacteria, viruses, protozoa or fungi.(To find out more, see the âBacteria/Viruses/Protozoaâ fact sheets).Disease-causing microbes can also be called pathogens, germs or bugs and are responsible for causing infectious diseases.They can also contribute to chronic diseases and conditions, and are now being linked with coronary artery disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer, multiple sclerosis and chronic lung disease.ost microbes belong to four major groups: bacteria, viruses, protozoa or fungi. (To find out more, see the âBacteria/Viruses/Protozoaâ fact sheets). Disease-causing microbes can also be called pathogens, germs or bugs and are responsible for causing infectious diseases.