bacteremia

noun

bac·​ter·​emia ˌbak-tə-ˈrē-mē-ə How to pronounce bacteremia (audio)
: the presence of bacteria in the blood

Note: Bacteremia is often transient and asymptomatic but may be associated with invasion of the bloodstream from a usually localized source of infection (such as a skin wound, indwelling catheter, or urinary tract infection) and can lead to sepsis.

compare septicemia, viremia
bacteremic adjective

Examples of bacteremia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The strain has also presented as bacteremia and septic arthritis as seen in some of the 2023 cases. Liza Esquibias, Peoplemag, 2 Apr. 2024 Staph bacteria can cause different types of infections including skin infections (the most common type), bacteremia, and toxic shock syndrome (TSS).2 Pseudomonas: A group of more than 25 types of bacteria that are associated with humans. Korin Miller, Health, 2 Sep. 2023 Doc talk Occult bacteremia The presence of bacteria in the bloodstream of a child with a fever, but who looks well and has no obvious source of infection. Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 July 2023 Specifically, the agencies test for enterococcus, a bacteria that is a common cause of infections, including UTIs, bacteremia and infective endocarditis, according to the National Institutes of Health. Margaret Kates | Mkates@al.com, al, 21 June 2023 Rarely, Salmonella infection causes bacteria to enter the bloodstream, also known as bacteremia. Amanda MacMillan, Health, 1 Mar. 2023 Comparison of methicillin-resistant and methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia. Rebecca Kreston, Discover Magazine, 29 Nov. 2016 The types of infections most commonly resulting from GBS are bacteremia, sepsis, pneumonia, and meningitis in newborns. Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 5 Dec. 2022 Adverse effects include bacteremia/sepsis, pneumonia, invasive fungal rhinosinusitis, and disseminated fungal infection. Chris Smith, BGR, 9 June 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bacteremia.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, alteration of bacteriemia, from bacteri- + -emia

First Known Use

1873, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bacteremia was in 1873

Dictionary Entries Near bacteremia

Cite this Entry

“Bacteremia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bacteremia. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.

Medical Definition

bacteremia

noun
bac·​ter·​emia
variants or chiefly British bacteraemia
: the presence of bacteria in the blood

Note: Bacteremia is often transient and asymptomatic but may be associated with invasion of the bloodstream from a usually localized source of infection (as a skin wound, indwelling catheter, or urinary tract infection) and lead to sepsis.

compare septicemia, viremia
bacteremic adjective
or chiefly British bacteraemic

More from Merriam-Webster on bacteremia

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