autoinfection

[ aw-toh-in-fek-shuhn ]

noun

, Pathology.

1. reinfection by a pathogen that is already in the body.
2. infection caused by transfer of a pathogen from one part of the body to another.

autoinfection

/ ˌɔːtəʊɪnˈfɛkʃən /

noun

1. infection by a pathogenic agent already within the body or infection transferred from one part of the body to another

Word History and Origins

Origin of autoinfection¹

First recorded in 1900–05; auto- ¹ + infection