Pus Culture / Sensitivity Test in Kathmandu

About this test

When a wound, boil, abscess or surgical site discharges pus, this test identifies exactly which bacteria are responsible and, just as importantly, which antibiotics will actually kill them. In the laboratory the pus is spread onto culture plates and incubated for one to two days; any organisms that grow are then identified and exposed to a panel of antibiotics to see which ones stop them — the sensitivity report your doctor reads as "S" (sensitive), "I" (intermediate) or "R" (resistant). Common culprits include Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus species, E. coli, Pseudomonas and, in deeper or hospital-acquired infections, mixed and anaerobic bacteria. A doctor typically orders it for a wound that is red, hot, swollen and oozing, an abscess that keeps refilling, a diabetic foot ulcer, an infected surgical scar, post-burn infection, or pus from the ear, eye or a sinus tract that is not settling on first-line treatment. The result guides a switch from broad-spectrum guesswork to a targeted antibiotic, which matters greatly in Kathmandu where over-the-counter antibiotic use has driven worrying rates of resistant organisms, including MRSA. Findings are interpreted alongside your symptoms, fever, white-cell count and the clinical picture, since skin can carry harmless bacteria. Because true bacteria need time to grow, a meaningful result usually takes around 72 hours; your doctor may start empirical treatment first and refine it once the sensitivity pattern is available.

Sample type

Pus / wound swab or aspirated fluid (sterile container or swab)

Preparation

No fasting needed. The sample is best collected before any antibiotic is started, or as long as possible after the last dose. Do not clean the wound with antiseptic immediately before collection, and bring any pus that has been freshly drained in a clean sterile container.

Turnaround time

Reports for Pus Culture / Sensitivity are typically ready within: 72 Hours. Reports can be collected at the clinic during opening hours or shared via WhatsApp once they are ready.

Also known as

Other microbiology tests we run

These are routinely ordered alongside Pus Culture / Sensitivity or as part of the same diagnostic workup.

How to book

WhatsApp is the fastest way — message us with the test name and your preferred time, and we'll confirm a slot the same day. You can also walk into the clinic at Rumba Chowk, Sanobharang any day between 7AM and 8PM, or fill in our online booking form.