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Purulent exudate is characterized by its appearance and composition, primarily indicating an infectious process. It typically has a thick, yellow or green color, which is a result of the presence of white blood cells (WBCs), particularly neutrophils, alongside debris from dead bacteria and tissue. This accumulation of WBCs and bacteria is indicative of a response to infection, often associated with bacterial pathogens.

The presence of bacteria is significant because purulent exudate often arises from conditions such as abscesses or infections, where the body is actively fighting off bacterial invaders. The composition reflects a robust immune response, as neutrophils migrate to the site of infection to engulf and destroy these pathogens, resulting in the formation of pus.

In contrast, clear exudates would be more indicative of serous fluid, while exudates predominated by lymphocytes are often associated with viral infections or chronic inflammation, rather than purulent exudate. Therefore, the defining characteristic of purulent exudate is its content of WBCs and bacteria.