Letter B

Bacteremia

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The presence of live bacteria in the bloodstream.

Bacteremia is analogous to viremia (the presence of a virus in the blood) and parasitemia (the presence of a parasite in the blood).

Bacteremia, viremia and parasitemia are all forms of sepsis (bloodstream infection).

The term 'bacteremia' was compounded from 'bacteria' and '-emia' (in the blood).

Also called bacillemia

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