Bacteriapuscult
A laboratory test that identifies and grows bacteria from a pus sample to determine what type of infection you have and which antibiotics will work best.
{"This test helps doctors identify the specific bacteria causing your infection","Results guide antibiotic treatment decisions","Sample is collected from an infected wound, abscess, or pus-filled area","Results typically take 2-5 days to complete","Different bacteria require different antibiotics for treatment"}
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 106032-6
- Short code
- PUSCULT
- Synonyms
- Bacteria Pus Cult
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Sterile, leak-proof container without preservative; sterile swab transport system (e.g., Amies or Stuart transport medium) for swab specimens; sterile screw-capped tube or syringe for aspirated pus; anaerobic transport vial for specimens requiring anaerobic culture
- Units
- N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- ≥ 0 years
- Method
- culture
- CPT
- 87070 (Culture, bacterial; any other source except urine, blood, or stool, with isolation and presumptive identification of isolates); 87075 (Culture, bacterial; any source, anaerobic with isolation and presumptive identification of isolates); 87076 (anaerobic identification); 87077 (aerobic identification); 87186 (susceptibility, MIC); 87147 (susceptibility, disk method); 87205 (Gram stain)
- SNOMED
- 43896003 (Bacterial culture of pus)
- Specimen volume
- Pus: 1-5 mL preferred (minimum 0.5 mL); Swab: one or two swabs from the same site placed in transport medium; Aspirate: as much volume as clinically obtainable
- Stability
- Room temperature (20-25°C): process within 2 hours for optimal organism viability. If delayed, refrigerate at 2-8°C for up to 24 hours. For anaerobic culture specimens, maintain at room temperature and process as soon as possible. Specimens in anaerobic transport medium are stable at room temperature for up to 48 hours per manufacturer's instructions.
- Hemolysis max
- 500
- Lipemia max
- 1000
- Icterus max
- 500
- TAT
- 48–168 hours
- Order
- routine
What is this test?
A pus culture, also called a bacterial culture of pus, is a laboratory test that takes a sample of pus from an infected area and places it in a special environment to grow and identify any bacteria present. This helps your doctor understand exactly what is causing your infection.
Why is this test done?
Your doctor may order this test if you have an infected wound, abscess, or other pus-filled area. The results help determine the exact type of bacteria causing the infection, which allows your doctor to prescribe the most effective antibiotic for your specific condition.
How is the sample collected?
A healthcare provider will clean the infected area and collect a small sample of pus using a sterile swab or needle. The sample is then placed in a sterile container and sent to the laboratory for analysis.
What do the results mean?
If bacteria grow in the culture, the lab will identify the specific type and perform additional tests (called susceptibility or sensitivity testing) to see which antibiotics can effectively kill the bacteria. If no bacteria grow, it could mean the infection is caused by viruses, fungi, or that the sample was collected improperly.
Reference range
No growth of pathogenic bacteria. Reportable organisms include Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus agalactiae, Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, anaerobes, and other clinically significant isolates. Normal skin flora (e.g., coagulase-negative staphylococci, Corynebacterium species, Cutibacterium acnes) may be reported as normal flora when not clinically significant.N/A
No fasting required. Patient should not apply topical antibiotics, antiseptics, or dressings to the affected area for at least 24 hours prior to specimen collection, if clinically feasible. The collection site should be cleaned with sterile saline or 70% alcohol before sampling to reduce contamination with surface flora. For deep wound or abscess specimens, prefer aspirated pus over swab specimens when possible.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
◆Associated findings1
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get results?
Does the test hurt?
What happens if no bacteria grow in the culture?
Do I need to prepare for this test?
Will I need antibiotics after this test?
Sources
- 1
- 2
- 3
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 16, 2026. · Read our editorial policy