What is A Culture-Pus?
Pus is a thick fluid that is produced in response to inflammation and is made up of dead white blood cells, bacteria, tissue debris and living bacteria. Pus accumulated at a specific site means the body’s defense system has started its action against the invading pathogens.
A pus culture test is a type of test done to establish the cause of an infection by identifying the bacteria, fungi or viruses from a pus sample. This test is useful in identifying the type of microbe causing the infection to help the physician choose the right antibiotic or antifungal drug to use in the management of the infection. It is used in the management of a number of infections including abscesses, empyema, meningitis, endocarditis and other similar conditions.
How is the Test Performed?
The Pus culture test is a minimally invasive test that requires no special preparation or fasting.
Collection
- A trained technician uses a cotton swab or needle aspiration to gently collect the sample of the pus from the site of the infection.
- The sample is then placed in the culture medium.
Lab Analysis
- After placing the sample in the culture medium it is kept controlled environment to allow the growth of the microorganisms
- The incubation period depends on the suspected pathogen for instance 24 hours, 48 hours, or more.
- The growth is then examined by an expert to identify the type of the pathogen
What are the symptoms that prompt this test?
The doctor recommends this test when pus is accumulating on the infection site and an individual is exhibiting the following symptoms;
General Symptoms
- Redness
- Swelling making the movement difficult
- Tenderness
- In case of systemic infection onset of fever and chills are observed
- Change in the color of pus
- Foul-smelling pus
- Recurrence of abscesses
- Development of pus after surgery or infection
What are Normal Ranges for This Test?
The pus culture should not grow any bacterial or fungal growth. The test results are given as positive or negative indicating:
Positive – Presence of pathogens
Negative – Absence of microbial growth
**In case of positive results further testing is required for effective diagnosis of the disease.**
What Happens if Test Results Show Abnormal Levels?
If pathogenic growth is observed it indicates the infection is caused due to the presence of those pathogenic organisms and to treat the infection the doctor usually suggests the following;
- When bacterial growth is examined the healthcare provider prescribes antibiotics and antibiotic susceptibility testing for an effective treatment
- The growth of yeast and mold indicates fungal infections that are treated with antifungal medications.
- Though viral growth is less common in pus samples the growth of herpes simplex virus or varicella-zoster virus is seen in some cases and is usually treated with antiviral drugs.
- Parasitic infections causing pus are rare but can occur in some cases and treated.
