bacteremia

noun

bac·​ter·​emia ˌbak-tə-ˈrē-mē-ə 

: 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

ˌbak-tə-ˈrē-mik 

adjective

Examples of bacteremia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The clinic adds that untreated cellulitis can lead to other complications as well, including bacteremia (when bacteria enters the bloodstream), toxic shock syndrome and more. —Charlotte Phillipp, Peoplemag, 8 June 2024

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 | [e-mail], 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

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1873, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

bacteremia

noun

bac·​ter·​emia

variants or chiefly British bacteraemia

ˌbak-tə-ˈrē-mē-ə 

: 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

-mik