title: Microbiological examination of blood for septicaemia.
abstract: The immune defences of blood are normally sufficient to protect against infection by the few bacteria that occasionally find their way into the peripheral circulation. When these host defence mechanisms are overwhelmed, uncontrolled bacterial infection of the blood (septicaemia) develops. Septicaemia is a potentially life-threatening clinical emergency that demands urgent diagnosis and treatment. This paper describes some aspects of septicaemia and the way in which the microbiology laboratory contributes to the care of patients suspected of having septicaemia.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Higgins
mesh_terms: D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D008828:Microbiological Techniques; D018805:Sepsis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*