suppurative

Suppurative is an adjective used in medicine to describe processes or lesions in which pus is produced or present. It denotes suppuration, the step-by-step formation of pus due to infection, usually by pyogenic bacteria. The term can describe the inflammatory process itself or the material that results from it, and the noun form suffixed is suppuration.

Pathophysiology and clinical relevance: Suppuration involves accumulation of neutrophils, dead cells, bacteria, and tissue fluid, often forming an abscess or a purulent discharge. It is commonly associated with bacterial infections and can occur in various organs, including the lungs, middle ear, joints, and intra-abdominal spaces. Clinically, suppurative infections may present with localized pain, swelling, redness, warmth, fever, and elevated inflammatory markers, and management typically includes antibiotic therapy and, when needed, drainage of pus.

Usage and nuances: The term derives from Latin suppurare, meaning to form pus. In practice, purulent is frequently used as a synonym for pus-containing material, while suppurative emphasizes the process or state of pus formation within tissue or a lesion. In radiology and pathology reports, suppurative can describe lesions with pus development, whereas non-suppurative denotes inflammation without pus production.