What does "immune evasion" refer to?

Immune evasion refers specifically to the strategies employed by pathogens, such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites, to effectively avoid being recognized or eliminated by the host's immune system. This can include various mechanisms such as altering surface antigens to prevent detection, producing substances that inhibit immune responses, or hiding within host cells to escape from surveillance.

Understanding immune evasion is crucial in the study of pathogenic microbiology, as it explains how infections can persist and lead to disease despite an active immune response from the host. Recognizing these strategies helps researchers develop better vaccines and therapeutic interventions aimed at boosting the immune system's ability to detect and combat pathogens.