Bacteremia and Sepsis Flashcards
- presence of viable bacteria in the blood
- one of the most serious infections
Bacteremia
contamination of blood through phlebotomy
Pseudobacteremia
bacteremia present with the absence of physical signs/symptoms
Occult Bacteremia
prolonged Bacteremia plus clinical presentation of signs/symptoms of bacterial invasion and toxin production
Septicemia
how is septicemia diagnosed?
blood cultures
Systemic response to infection sometimes accompanied by organ involvement
Sepsis
Sepsis accompanied by hypotension
Septic shock
which bacteria produce endotoxins?
gram negative, mainly bacilli but some cocci
what affects can endotoxin have when released into the blood?
Disseminated intravascular coagulation – death is coming
Stops peripheral circulations and forces blood to major organs
how can antibiotics make sepsis worse?
if gram negative bacteria is lysed by wbc – endotoxin is released. Some Antibiotics are detrimental. Has toxic affects
Need antibiotics that prevent protein production and prevent multiplying. Not use broad spectrum
what are common disease causes of sepsis?
Meningitis. Pneumonia. Urinary tract infection.
Osteomyelitis. Gut related infection.
Cellulitis and necrotising fasciitis
what the common mechanical disruption of host defenses causing sepsis?
Intravascular catheters
Urinary catheters
how do these things lead to septicemia?
Previous infections migrate into the blood stream
Primary bacteremia
- arises from endovascular source
- i.e., patient with pneumonia gets into bloodstream
Secondary bacteremia
- arises from extravascular source
- i.e., catheters