Quick answer
The Pus Culture & Sensitivity Test costs ₹800 at Live Line Health Care. Identifies the bacteria inside pus from a boil, abscess or infected wound, and shows which antibiotics can treat that infection. No fasting is needed. It uses a pus sample and the report is usually ready within 48–72 hours.
Also known as: Pus C/S, Pus for C/S, Pus CS, Pus Culture and Sensitivity, Abscess Culture, Wound Pus Culture
What is the Pus Culture Test?
A Pus Culture & Sensitivity test finds the germ behind a collection of pus, such as an abscess, a large boil, an infected surgical wound or a diabetic foot ulcer. Pus forms when white blood cells gather to fight an infection, so it often holds the germ itself. The sample is taken at the centre by trained staff so that it comes from the infected area and not from the skin around it. In the lab it is cultured, and any likely germ is identified and tested against antibiotics.
Staphylococcus aureus, including the resistant form called MRSA, is one of the most common causes of skin abscesses. Streptococci and gut bacteria such as E. coli and Klebsiella are also common, particularly in deep wounds and diabetic feet. Knowing which one is present matters, because a boil that keeps returning may be resistant to the usual medicines. This test differs from a Swab Culture, which is used on surfaces such as the throat, ear or vagina, and from a Gram Stain, which gives a quick first look but no antibiotic guidance.
What it measures: Bacteria growing from pus, their identity, and the antibiotics they respond to or resist.
Parameters included (3)
- Growth from Pus Sample
- Organism Identified
- Antibiotic Sensitivity Pattern
Why is this test done?
- An abscess or boil that keeps coming back
- A surgical wound discharging pus
- A diabetic foot ulcer with discharge
- An infected bite, burn or injury
- A skin infection that has not improved on antibiotics
- Suspected MRSA infection
When should you get tested?
- A painful, swollen lump that feels warm
- Yellow, green or foul-smelling discharge from a wound
- Redness spreading around a wound
- Fever along with a skin or wound infection
- A wound that refuses to heal
How to prepare for the Pus Culture Test
- 1Visit a centre for this sample, because it has to be collected fresh from the infected area. It cannot be booked as home collection.
- 2Antibiotic tablets and creams can stop germs growing, so do not begin them before the sample unless a doctor has told you to. Mention any you have used.
- 3Do not squeeze the area or clean it with antiseptic just before your visit. Keep any dressing on until the staff ask you to remove it.
- 4Tell the staff if you have diabetes, low immunity or a recent operation.
Pus Culture Test normal range
| Parameter | Typical reference range |
|---|---|
| No growth | No bacteria grew, which may follow earlier antibiotics or a germ that needs special conditions |
| Organism grown | Germ named, such as Staphylococcus aureus or Klebsiella pneumoniae |
| MRSA | Staphylococcus aureus reported as methicillin-resistant, which limits antibiotic choices |
| Sensitivity results | Antibiotics listed as sensitive, intermediate or resistant |
There is no normal range for pus. The report simply states what grew and which medicines act on it. Ranges are typical adult values and vary between labs, age and sex. Always use the range printed on your report and discuss results with your doctor.
Understanding your results
- A named germ with a sensitivity list helps your doctor decide on the right antibiotic, and whether the area also needs draining.
- MRSA is resistant to many common antibiotics but is still treatable. Keeping wounds covered and washing hands helps prevent spread at home.
- No growth can follow antibiotic use. Germs that dislike oxygen (anaerobes) can also be missed unless they are specifically cultured.
- Skin bacteria from a shallow sample may be contaminants, so the result is read with how the wound looks.
- Go to a hospital for fast-spreading redness, high fever, severe pain or blackened skin, especially if you have diabetes.
Pus Culture Test – FAQs
What is the price of the Pus Culture Test?
The Pus Culture & Sensitivity Test costs ₹800 at Live Line Health Care, at all 45 centres.
Why can’t a pus culture be collected at home?
The sample needs to be taken from the infected site under clean conditions, then placed in the right container, to avoid picking up skin germs. This is why it is done at the centre by trained staff. Deep abscesses need a doctor to drain them.
What is the difference between a pus culture and a swab culture?
A pus culture tests pus from an abscess, boil or infected wound, often the best source of the germ. A swab culture samples surfaces such as the throat, ear, eye or vagina. Your doctor chooses based on where the infection is.
What does MRSA mean on a pus culture report?
MRSA stands for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. It means this common skin germ does not respond to many routine antibiotics. It can still be treated, usually with other medicines, and your doctor will select one from your sensitivity report.
Why do my boils keep coming back?
Repeated boils can be caused by Staphylococcus aureus living on the skin or in the nose, sometimes a resistant strain. Diabetes, poor immunity and shared towels can add to the problem. A pus culture and a sugar test can help your doctor find the reason.
Does a pus culture replace draining an abscess?
No. Many abscesses need to be opened and drained by a doctor, because antibiotics alone reach pus poorly. The culture is a guide to which antibiotic, if any, is needed. Please do not try to cut or burst an abscess at home.
Why does my pus culture show no growth when the wound is infected?
Earlier antibiotics are the most common reason. Other causes include germs that need special culture methods, such as anaerobes, or a sample with few live bacteria. Your doctor will treat based on how the wound looks and may repeat the test.
Where can I get the Pus Culture Test done?
At any of our 45 Live Line Health Care centres in 40 cities across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, including Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, Warangal, Kakinada and Nellore. This test is done at a centre, not at home.
Medical disclaimer: This information is for general awareness only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult a qualified doctor to interpret your results and before starting or changing any treatment.