Dentistry

Focal infection

An infection in which bacteria are localized in some region, as the tonsils or the tissue around a tooth, from which they may spread to some other organ or structure of the body. Origin of focal infection. A focus of infection is a confined area that holds pathogenic microorganisms that occur all over the body and usually causes no clinical manifestations. A focal infection is a localized infection caused by the dissemination of microorganisms or toxic products from a focus of infection. These concepts have led to the Focal Theory of Infection that postulates a myriad of diseases caused by microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, viruses) that arise endogenously from a focus of infection.