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Glossary of Terms and Definitions

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Infection Control in the Intensive Care Unit

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Abstract

This chapter provides a glossary of definitions in microbiology in relation to critical illness. The definitions are organized alphabetically. The origin of infections is emphasized in terms of primary and secondary endogenous and exogenous infections. Microorganisms are classified in terms of their pathogenicity. Definitions are given for the various types of organ-specific infection, the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS)–sepsis–septic shock continuum, and for various additional concepts, including acquisition, carriage, colonization, defence, endemicity, isolation, migration, outbreak, overgrowth, resistance, translocation, and transmission. Surveillance cultures and selective decontamination of the digestive tract are also defined, and the distinction between surveillance and diagnostic samples is emphasized. Original references are provided for many of the definitions, including consensus conferences, where available. Many definitions are likely to be revised or reformulated with advances in knowledge and experience

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Paediatric Anaesthesia, Royal Liverpool Children’s NHS Trust, Liverpool, Merseyside, UK

    R. E. Sarginson

  2. School of Clinical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, Merseyside, UK

    N. Taylor

  3. Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Hospital Universitario de Getafe, Getafe, Spain

    M. A. de la Cal

  4. Institute of Ageing and Chronic Diseases, University of Liverpool, Duncan Building, Liverpool, UK

    H. K. F. van Saene

Authors
  1. R. E. Sarginson
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  2. N. Taylor
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  3. M. A. de la Cal
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  4. H. K. F. van Saene
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to R. E. Sarginson .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Institute of Aging and Chronic Diseases, University Liverpool, Daulby Street, Liverpool, L69 3GA, United Kingdom

    Hendrick K.F. van Saene

  2. , Dept. Emergency, Hospital Gorizia, Via Vittorio Veneto 171, Gorizia, 34170, Italy

    Luciano Silvestri

  3. , Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Hospital Universitario de Getafe, Carretera de Toledo km 12.5, Getafe, 28045, Spain

    Miguel A. de la Cal

  4. Policlinico di Catania, UCO di Anestesia e Rianimazione, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria, Via Santa Sofia 78, Catania, 95100, Italy

    Antonino Gullo

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Sarginson, R.E., Taylor, N., de la Cal, M.A., van Saene, H.K.F. (2011). Glossary of Terms and Definitions. In: van Saene, H., Silvestri, L., de la Cal, M., Gullo, A. (eds) Infection Control in the Intensive Care Unit. Springer, Milano. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-1601-9_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-1601-9_1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Milano

  • Print ISBN: 978-88-470-1600-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-88-470-1601-9

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