infection vs. infestation

[RandyFulle]

Sorry Gisella your American pathologist is correct.

Classical usage: INFECTION: penetration of a plant, now th host, by an organism
 and the establishment of a parasitic or pathogenic relationship.
 INFEST(ation): to run over the surface of a plant, or to be dispersed through
 soil or other substrate. used especially of insect and other animal pests.
 When used with reference to micro-organisms or virus particles on plant
 surfaces there is NO impication that infection has occurred. The infesting
 organism may or may not be a contaminant: infest and contaminate are not
 synonymous.

Dr. Randy Fuller
Forest Pathologist/Entomologist/Mycologist