Koch is Dead

Why We Should Discard Traditional Views of Infectious Processes?

Abstract

More than a century after the birth of the first germ theories, 19th century notions of infectious disease causality continue to haunt our efforts to develop effective investigational and intervention strategies. This is due not only to the distorted view of the relationship between infection and disease they encourage, but, more importantly, to the almost mystical power that notions such as Koch's postulates have had to deflect our attention away from the development of utilitarian problem-solving skills.