Susceptibility

Susceptibility refers to the susceptibility or susceptibility of an organism, tissue or system to external influences. The term is used in various scientific disciplines, particularly in medicine, biology and physics.

Medical and biological susceptibility: In medicine, susceptibility describes the tendency of an individual to develop a certain disease when exposed to environmental factors or pathogens.

• Genetic susceptibility: Some people have a higher risk of certain diseases such as cancer, diabetes or autoimmune diseases due to their genetic predisposition. Susceptibility genes are now known for all major complex diseases. For many, monogenic forms of the disease exist simultaneously. Examples of monogenic causes and susceptibility genes in complex diseases are:
  • Coronary heart disease: mutation in LDLR (LDL receptor) susceptibility gene: APOE or breast cancer: mutation in BRCA1, susceptibility gene:CHEK2.
• Infectious susceptibility: A weakened immune system can increase susceptibility to infectious diseases.
• Environmental susceptibility: Chemical substances, radiation or allergens can have stronger effects on susceptible individuals.

Physical susceptibility

• In physics, particularly in magnetism and materials research, susceptibility refers to the ability of a material to react to an external magnetic or electric field.

1. Bach JF (2002) The effect of infections on susceptibility to autoimmune and allergic diseases. N Engl J Med 347:911-20