Glossary terms with S

S

Salmonella

Salmonella are bacteria causing foodborne infections and diarrhea.

SARS-CoV-2

SARS-CoV-2 is an RNA virus belonging to the coronavirus family. SARS-CoV-2 can trigger the respiratory tract disease called COVID-19.

Scanning electron microscopy

A scanning electron microscope analyzes an object by scanning its surface with a focused beam of electrons.

Screening

Screening is a systematic testing method with the aim of identifying elements with certain properties.

Sepsis

Sepsis develops as a result of an infection when the immune response harms the body’s own tissues and organs. Without intensive care, sepsis is often fatal.

Seroprevalence

Seroprevalence is the frequency of specific antibodies in blood serum indicating an existing or past infectious disease. It is detected at a certain point in time in a defined group of people.

Siderophores

Siderophores are iron-binding compounds released from bacteria and fungi, which are used for iron-uptake.

Smallpox

Smallpox is an infectious disease caused by viruses, which is highly contagious and life-threatening. The trigger is the variola virus. Thanks to worldwide vaccination campaigns, the world has been officially considered smallpox-free since 1980.

Spontaneous healing

Spontaneous healing refers to a disease being healed without treatment.

Staphylococci

Staphylococci are gram-positive bacteria that can cause disease in humans. One example is the dreaded hospital pathogen Staphylococcus aureus.