pus

The characteristic exudate of amebic abscesses of the liver. Its brownish color comes from a mixture of pus and old blood.

Purulence with a blue tint caused by pigment pyocyanin; usually associated with infection due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

A pus that may spread a considerable distance from its origin by dissecting along pre-existing anatomical planes.

A semisolid, very thick pus found inside old abscesses and resulting from water absorption.

Pus containing flakes of caseous matter (damaged or necrotic tissue).

Pus that contains pieces of sloughed tissue and may produce a foul odor due to decomposition of that tissue.

A mixture of mucus and pus.

1. A liquid, usually yellowish (to green) which is formed in certain infections and is composed of white blood cells, bacteria, and cellular debris.
2. The liquid product of inflammation composed of albuminous substances, a thin fluid, and leukocytes; generally yellow in color.

It is usually, but not always, caused by infectious microorganisms.

If red, it suggests rupture of small vessels. If blue or green, it indicates the presence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Streptococci, staphylococci, gonococci, pneumococci, and other species of bacteria cause the formation of pus.

An expanded explanation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the versatile "blue-green pus bacteria" that takes every opportunity to infect people, especially those who are immunocompromised.

Pseudomonas rarely causes infection in healthy individuals but it is a major cause of hospital acquired (nosocomial) infections. It tends to infect people with immunodeficiency or burns and those with indwelling catheters or on respirators.

Infection with pseudomonas can lead to urinary tract infections, sepsis (blood stream infection), pneumonia, pharyngitis, and many other medical problems. Pseudomonas colonizes the lungs of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) and contributes to the chronic progressive pulmonary disease and death rate in CF.

Pseudomonas normally resides in the soil, marshes, and coastal marine habitats. It can survive under conditions that few other organisms can tolerate, it produces a slime layer that resists phagocytosis (engulfment), and it is resistant to most antibiotics.

Pseudomonas can multiply in an extraordinary assortment of environments including eyedrops, soaps, sinks, anesthesia and resuscitation equipment, fuels, humidifiers, and even stored distilled water. It has also been reported in kidney dialysis machines. The characteristic color of the pus is due to a bluish pigment (pyocyanin) and a greenish pigment produced by pseudomonas.

A blister containing purulent matter.

A degenerate or necrotic granulocyte; the characteristic cell of suppurative and purulent inflammation.

Pyogenic micro-organism, or a micro-organism producing pus; usually, staphylococci and streptococci; but many other organisms also produce pus.

Pus which is blood stained and foul smelling.