Glossary

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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 is a life-threatening complication of an infection. It occurs when the body's response to the infection is dysregulated, resulting in organ damage.

Seroprevalence

Seroprevalence refers to the proportion of a studied population in which specific antibodies are detectable in the blood serum at a given point in time.

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.

Sputum

Sputum is secretion coughed up from the respiratory tract. Sputum diagnostics supports the diagnosis of lung diseases.