purulente

Purulente is a French adjective meaning purulent or pus-forming, used in medical contexts to describe processes, discharges, or tissues that contain or produce pus. It is the feminine form of purulent; masculine is purulent. The term is commonly paired with nouns such as inflammation (inflammation purulente) or discharge (sécrétion purulente).

In medical use, purulente describes infections or inflammatory states characterized by purulent exudate. Purulent exudate is typically thick, opaque, and may be yellow, green, or brown. It results from the accumulation of neutrophils, cellular debris, and bacteria, and is often associated with bacterial infections or abscess formation.

Clinical relevance and examples. Purulent processes are seen in a range of conditions, including skin and soft tissue infections, wound infections, dental abscesses, and certain respiratory or intra-abdominal infections. The presence of purulence can guide diagnostic considerations toward bacterial etiology and the need for drainage or antimicrobial therapy.

Diagnosis and management. Diagnosis is primarily clinical, supported by the appearance of the discharge and local signs of infection; laboratory culture or imaging may be used to identify causative organisms or the extent of infection. Treatment depends on the underlying cause and may include wound cleaning, drainage of collections, and targeted antibiotics when bacterial infection is suspected or confirmed.

See also: pus, abscess, purulence.