Enterotoxication

/ˌɛntərə‌tɒksɪˈkeɪʃən/ noun

Definition

The process of becoming poisoned by toxins produced in or absorbed from the intestines.

Etymology

From 'entero-' (intestine) + 'toxication' (act of poisoning, from Latin 'toxicum'). This term describes the mechanism by which intestinal bacterial toxins cause systemic illness.

Kelly Says

Ancient physicians noticed patients could mysteriously sicken from their own gut, but only modern microbiology revealed the secret: certain bacteria manufacture powerful poisons right there in the intestines as part of their metabolism.

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