bacterial infection

Cultural  

1. An infection caused by bacteria. The growth of many disease-causing bacteria can be halted by the use of antibiotics. (Compare viral infection.)

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Diseases caused by bacterial infections include diphtheria, gonorrhea, tuberculosis, and typhoid fever.

Example Sentences

Citrus greening disease is caused by a bacterial infection that is delivered by the gnawing of the Asian citrus psyllid.

From Slate • Apr. 20, 2026

Cholera, a dangerous bacterial infection that causes severe diarrhea and can be fatal without treatment, may be significantly reduced through diet.

From Science Daily • Apr. 7, 2026

A deadly virus and bacterial infection have killed at least 72 tigers at a private animal park in Thailand's north in recent weeks, authorities said.

From Barron's • Feb. 21, 2026

The family of Tony Dynes, another cancer patient who died aged 63 in May 2021, have revealed he also had an aspergillus fungal infection, as well as the same bacterial infection as Milly Main.

From BBC • Jan. 31, 2026

Soon after the accident, a bacterial infection caused his leg to swell up like a balloon from his knee to his ankle.

From "Death on the River of Doubt" by Samantha Seiple