Focal infection

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The term focal infection refers to any local infection (affecting a small area of the body) that causes subsequent infection or symptoms in other parts of the body. For example, tetanus (lockjaw) is caused by the release of exotoxin from a local infection, perhaps an infected puncture wound of the foot.

The theory of focal infection is associated with dentistry, linking local dental infections to systemic conditions of the circulatory, skeletal, and nervous systems. It is thought that these conditions can be caused by the dissemination of microorganisms or toxic products from infected teeth, teeth roots, gum tissue, and/or tonsils. Teeth treated with root canal therapy may be particularly suseptible to harboring focal infection.

Dr. Frank Billings (1854-1932), Chicago physician, developed with E.C. Rosenow, the "doctrine of focal infection" from bacteria of the streptococcus-pneumococcus group via teeth, tonsils and other portals (1912). The theory was furthered by Dr. Weston Price who devoted years of research to the subject. Dr. George Meinig 'rediscovered' Price's research and is a modern proponent of the theory of focal infection.