Bacteremia – Definition

Bacteremia (from bacteria + Latin suffix -emia = blood related) is the presence of the bacteria in the bloodstream (1).

Bacteremia is not the same as septicemia (sepsis), which is bacteremia accompanied with an inflammation in the blood.

Both Gram-positive bacteria, like staphylococci or streptococci, or Gram-negative bacteria, like Bacteroides, may be involved in bacteremia.

Bacteremia – Causes

Bacteria may enter the blood from different sources:

  • A minor injury occurring during toothbrushing may push some bacteria from the gums into the bloodstream; bacteria are usually quickly removed from the bloodstream by the immune system, so no symptoms usually develop.
  • Infected wound
  • Incision of a boil
  • Dental procedure, like tooth extraction
  • Inserting an intravenous or bladder catheter
  • Injecting (street) drugs with an infected needle
  • Surgery
  • Existing infection anywhere in the body, often from infected lung (pneumonia), urinary tract (UTI), gastrointestinal tract (in severe food poisoning), burns or bedsores (decubitus ulcers)

Bacteremia – Symptoms

Mild bacteremia, when present without inflammation in the blood, caused by regular activity as toothbrushing, usually causes no symptoms; rarely fever appears (1).

If in a person with a known or suspected infection high fever, rapid breathing, rapid heart beat, paleness, nausea, and profound weakness appear in a short period of time (hours), this may speak for progression of bacteriemia to septicemia.

Bacteremia May Result in Infection of Various Organs

When a lot of bacteria enter the blood, they can cause infection of the brain membranes (meningitis), bones (osteomyelitis), heart sac (pericarditis), the lining of the heart valves (endocarditis) or joints (infectious arthritis). Symptoms depend on the affected organ and severity of infection.

Individuals with heart valve disorders, prosthetic joints, chronic diseases or weakened immune system are at increased risk to develop infection during bacteremia. A tooth extraction or incision of a boil can result in endocarditis in a person with a heart valve disorder. During inserting of a catheter into a vein of a patient with AIDS, some skin bacteria can be pushed into the blood, what can result in infection, like meningitis.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Bacteremia can be confirmed by a blood culture, a laboratory test during which bacteria grow from a sample of your blood and thus become visible.

Individuals at increased risk of developing infection during bacteremia should get antibiotics prior to certain procedures, like tooth extraction or certain surgical procedures (antibiotic prophylaxis).

Related Articles:

References:

  1. Bacteremia (merck.com)

Further Reading :
  • What Is Septicemia or Blood Poisoning?
  • What Does Septic Mean?