Colonization and Infection

摘要: Physiologically, internal organs such as lower airways and bladder are sterile. However, colonization of by potentially pathogenic micro-organisms (PPMs) is common in critically ill patients on the intensive care unit (ICU) [1]. Colonization generally follows impaired carriage defense digestive tract, which promotes overgrowth PPMs (see Chapter 2), defenses host against colonization, due to illness severity. Failure clear colonizing microorganisms from invariably leads high concentrations PPMs, predisposing invasion. The mobilizes both humoral cellular systems hinder invading micro-organisms. infection will require not only invasion, but also severity underlying disease, jeopardizes immunocompetence. aims this chapter define concepts colonization/infection describe mechanisms interventions for control colonization/infection.