Cytology – Pus:
Why Cytology - Pus Test?
CLINICAL INFORMATION
Pus (wound exudate caused by purulent infections such as Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes) is a thick fluid containing dead tissues, cells and infectious microbial pathogens. Depending on the type of infection and its location, the colour of the pus varies accordingly from white, yellow, green-brown etc. At the local site of traumatic wounds (abrasion) where the microbes find access within the tissue by breaching the skin layer or mucosal surface (the anatomical barrier between sterile internal organs and external environment which is teemed with microorganisms), inflammatory cells appear to the site and combat restricting their invasion (fighting off an infection) into the systemic circulation. During the process of wound healing, pus cells are formed forms an abscess. Aspirated pus specimen (eg. soiled wounds or recurrent non-healing wounds) of a patient’s sample when Infected by harmful microbes (like bacteria eg. Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes are purulent – Pus causing infections (both release toxins that damage the tissues, fungi etc) undergoes apoptosis or necrosis and debris is sloughed, thus preventing the spread of infection to neighbouring cells. Symptoms are usually fever, chills, local pain at the site wound etc. The pus swab is collected and is placed in a transport medium to reach the lab. Cytology of Pus: Cytology is a test that examines the study of cells under a microscope. Hence a cytological examination of aspirated pus fluid also helps in identifying the presence of harmful infectious micro-organisms along with inflammatory cells like WBCs etc, on microscopic evaluation. The identification of the infectious causative agent is thus identified (eg. Gram-positive or Gram-negative) to arrive at a definite diagnosis for starting effective medication (such as broad-spectrum or narrow-spectrum antibiotics) against it. Additional tests include ESR, CRP, D-dimer etc.
General Instructions:
Sample Requirement: Specimen – Aspirated Pus. Test Preparation: None.
NOTE - Sample for specimen collections may vary based on the patient’s condition/cases according to the patient’s presenting complaints/signs or symptoms:
SPECIMEN REQUIREMENT (Special or Rare Cases) - As instructed and guided by Physician / Clinician / Pathologist / as per Laboratory’s requirements, according to procedures and protocols.
This Multi-Specialty Clinical Referral Laboratory RTDIAGNOSTICS provides precise and accurate tests with an extensive range of testing services to the medical centres to help in the diagnosis and identification of pathology in the test specimens for infectious diseases and also to evaluate the function of organ systems of the patient. It prevents further complications and helps to stabilize and restore health to near normalcy at the earliest without delay.
