What is the term for the presence of bacteria in the bloodstream?

The presence of bacteria in the bloodstream is specifically referred to as bacteremia. This term describes the state when bacteria are detected in the blood, which can occur due to various factors such as infections or medical procedures. While the term "sepsis" refers to a systemic inflammatory response syndrome caused by infection, it typically indicates a more severe reaction where the body's response to the bacteria can lead to tissue damage, organ failure, or even death.

Infections are broader in scope and encompass any invasion of the body by pathogenic organisms, not just limited to bacteria in the blood. Endotoxin, on the other hand, refers to toxins released from the outer membrane of certain bacteria that can trigger strong immune responses but does not denote the presence of bacteria in the bloodstream itself.

Thus, the most accurate term for the specific condition of having bacteria circulating in the blood is bacteremia.