autoinfection

[ aw-toh-in-fek-shuh n ]
/ ˌɔ toʊ ɪnˈfɛk ʃən /

noun Pathology.

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

Origin of autoinfection

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

Words nearby autoinfection

autoimmune, autoimmune disease, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, autoimmunization, autoimmunocytopenia, autoinfection, autoinfusion, autoinoculation, autointoxication, autoionization, autoisolysin

British Dictionary definitions for autoinfection

autoinfection
/ (ˌɔːtəʊɪnˈfɛkʃən) /

noun

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

Medical definitions for autoinfection

autoinfection
[ ô′tō-ĭn-fĕk′shən ]

n.

Reinfection by microbes or parasitic organisms that are present on or within the body.
Self-infection by direct contact with a contagious agent, as with parasite eggs in the infectious state transmitted by fingernails. autoreinfection