bacteremia

Chapter: 9b
Bacteremia is the presence of bacteria in the blood. Bacteremia may be transient, intermittent, or continuous.

Transient bacteremia

occurs after such minor events as brushing or cleaning the teeth, defecation, or surgical manipulation of infected wounds. In a patient with a working reticulo-endothelial system (functioning liver and spleen), such bacteremia is of little clinical consequence.

Intermittent bacteremia

Most often associated with an undrained abscess.

Continuous bacteremia

The cardinal feature of acute endocarditis and sepsis associated with indwelling intravenous or arterial catheters.

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