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.
MeSH terms
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Colony Count, Microbial*
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Communicable Diseases / diagnosis*
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Communicable Diseases / etiology*
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Cross Infection / diagnosis
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Cross Infection / etiology
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Diagnosis, Differential
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Humans
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Intensive Care Units
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Pneumonia / diagnosis
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Pneumonia / etiology
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Risk Factors
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Sepsis / diagnosis
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Sepsis / epidemiology
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Sepsis / etiology
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Urinary Tract Infections / diagnosis
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Urinary Tract Infections / etiology