title: Infection versus colonization in the critical care unit.
abstract: Serious infections in the critical care unit are commonplace. However, distinguishing true infection from mere colonization is a difficult and often uncertain process that has been shown to result in both over- and under-treatment of patients. Antimicrobial agents used in the CCU setting are expensive and not without toxicities. This article discusses methods to differentiate colonization from infection.
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, University of South Florida College of Medicine, James A. Haley Veterans Affairs Hospital, Tampa, USA.
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Bergen
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Toney
mesh_terms: D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D018805:Sepsis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology