What term describes the process when a vector injects a pathogen into a host while feeding?

The correct term for the process when a vector injects a pathogen into a host while feeding is inoculation. This term specifically refers to the introduction of pathogens into a living organism, typically done via biting or feeding by vectors such as mosquitoes or ticks. During this process, the vector not only consumes blood or tissue but also introduces pathogens directly into the host’s system, initiating an infection.

In contrast, infection generally refers to the establishment of a disease caused by the pathogen itself after it has entered the host. Infestation usually pertains to the presence of an organism, commonly a parasite, residing on or within the host, but does not specifically imply the active introduction of a pathogen. Transmission is a broader term that describes the overall process by which a pathogen moves from one host to another, which may involve various methods including direct contact, but does not specifically address the act of injection that occurs during the feeding of a vector.