Advertisement

Advertisement

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

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of autoinfection1

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Someone with a tapeworm can infect themselves with tapeworm eggs - a process known as autoinfection - which can pass out of the body as waste and infect others in the same home.

Read more on BBC

Recording the case in the American Journal of Case Reports, doctors wrote that it "can only be speculated" the man's cysticercosis was transmitted through autoinfection after "improper handwashing".

Read more on BBC

They say the case highlights the risk of "undercooked pork consumption" and subsequent autoinfection.

Read more on BBC

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


autoimmunizationautoinoculation