noun
contaminant bacteria; contaminating microorganism
Technical term used in microbiology, food safety, and environmental contexts to refer to bacteria or fungi that contaminate a sample, product, or environment.
食品から汚染菌が検出された。
Contaminant bacteria were detected in the food.
実験室では汚染菌の混入を防ぐ必要がある。
In the laboratory, it is necessary to prevent the introduction of contaminating microorganisms.
細菌 means bacteria in general, whereas 汚染菌 emphasizes the role of bacteria as contaminants.
Compound of 汚染 (contamination) and 菌 (bacterium, fungus). The term is a straightforward technical coinage.