Cytology of the lesion showed which of the following findings?

• A. 3+ cocci with PMNs and nuclear streaming
• B. Fungal hyphae with yeast
• C. Rod-shaped bacteria only
• D. No organisms detected

Answer: (A)

This pattern reflects an acute bacterial infection with a pus-forming, neutrophil-dominated response. Seeing numerous cocci bacteria alongside abundant neutrophils means the lesion is infiltrated by neutrophils responding to spherical bacteria, which is classic for a pyogenic infection. The term nuclear streaming here points to active neutrophil involvement and inflammatory debris as the process is ongoing, reinforcing the presence of acute bacterial inflammation. Fungal elements would appear as hyphae or yeast forms, rod-shaped bacteria would look elongated rather than spherical, and no organisms detected would not account for the visible bacteria and neutrophilic infiltrate.