What does it mean if leukocytes are found in the urine or leucocyturia

Leukocytes are white blood cells that protect a person from harmful bacteria, viruses, toxins, foreign cells. An increase in their level in the urine is called leukocyturia and indicates inflammatory processes in the body. To understand what this means and whether it is a health hazard, you need to see a doctor and identify the cause of the violations.

• Analyzes
• General
• Nechiporenko
• Standards
• For a general analysis of urine to the definition of leukocyte esterase
• For a general analysis with manual microscopy
• urine sediment for analysis by Nechiporenko
• reasons
• Women
• have
• men have
• child during pregnancy
• How to lower

Leukocytes refer to immune cells, their presence in blood and urine in small amounts is a normal protective property of the body. However, an increase in the number of these cells indicates an increase in their activity and the fight against foreign bodies. Absorbing and destroying pathogens, leukocytes die and are excreted in the urine. Most often this condition indicates the presence of infectious and inflammatory processes in the organs of the genitourinary system.

Assays

Laboratory tests are used to determine the concentration of leukocytes in the urine. To them it is necessary to prepare in advance and correctly collect the material, this will ensure maximum reliability of the results:

• Before the analysis, heavy physical and psycho-emotional loads should be excluded.
• To adhere to a diet, do not eat spicy, fatty, roasted foods that can color urine in a different color, medicines.
• Immediately before collecting the material, it is necessary to carefully conduct hygienic procedures, wash the genitals with warm water.
• For analysis, only the average portion of morning urine is suitable, enough amounts of 20-30 milliliters.
• The container for urine should be clean, dry and covered with a lid.
• The material should be delivered to the laboratory no later than 2 hours after collection.

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General

Serves to determine the general physico-chemical properties of urine-color, transparency, density, acidity, and the presence of leukocytes, erythrocytes, glucose, protein, ketone bodies and other possible constituents. Leukocyturia can be determined in two ways:

• Using special test strips that detect esterase( a special enzyme) of leukocytes. This substance helps to color the strip in a certain color, which then should be compared with the color scale.
• By manual microscopy of the urine sediment - a layer that did not dissolve after placing the material in a centrifuge. During the study, the number of leukocytes, red blood cells, epithelial cells, mucus, cylindrical cells and other substances is determined when examined in a microscope.

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According to Nechiporenko

It is more specific and conducted to confirm or exclude abnormalities in the kidneys, if the general analysis showed a deviation from the norm. The urine sediment is examined under a microscope in order to determine the number of leukocytes, erythrocytes and cylinders per unit volume - 1 milliliter or 1 liter of liquid.

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Norms

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For general urine analysis with the definition of leukocyte esterase

• No was detected - 0 to 25 leukocytes in 1 microlitre of urine. Is the norm, indicates the absence of infection.
• Weakly positive( +) - 25-100 cells in 1 microliter of liquid. Can testify about the disease, including chronic, requires additional tests.
• Positive( ++) - 100-500 units in 1 microliter of material. Indicates the need to see a doctor to determine the cause of the poor outcome of the analysis.
• Sharply positive( +++) - 500 or more cells in 1 microliter of urine. With such a high level of leukocytes, a complete examination of the body, preferably in the hospital, should be carried out.

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For general analysis with manual microscopy, urine sediment

The rates differ slightly depending on the age and sex of the patient:

• In men, 0-3 cells are in the field of vision( or single in the drug).
• In women and children - 0-6 leukocytes in the field of vision( single in the preparation).
• Children-girls - 8-10 in sight.
• Children-boys - 5-7 in sight.

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For Nechiporenko analysis

The norm is up to 2 thousand leukocytes per 1 milliliter of urine( or from 0 to 2 * 10⁶ cells per 1 liter).In some cases, this value is twice exceeded.

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Reasons for

The following are common causes for the development of leukocyturia for both men and women:

• Urolithiasis with the movement of stones through the urinary canals. This condition is also characterized by an increase in the number of erythrocytes in the urine.
• Diabetes mellitus and endocrine disorders.
• Pathological hormonal changes.
• Inflammatory processes due to improper hygiene of the genitals.
• Oncological lesions of the pelvic organs.
• Traumatic lesions, including frequent catheterization procedures.
• Allergic reactions to certain medicines( medicinal nephritis).To false-positive results are antibacterial drugs containing clavulanic acid, as well as gentamicin and preparations of the cephalosporin group of antibiotics, in particular cephalexin.

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In women

• Cystitis is an inflammation of the bladder that affects mostly women. Usually accompanied by frequent painful urination, sometimes - blood clots secreted with urine.
• Pyelonephritis is an inflammation of the kidneys of a bacterial nature, often arising on the background of untreated cystitis.
• Development of foci of inflammation( both infectious and non-infectious) on the mucous membrane of the vagina.
• Urogenital candidiasis( thrush).Dysbacteriosis of the vagina or intestine.
• Active sex life. The number of leukocytes can be up to 25 units in the field of vision, but the woman will be absolutely healthy.
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In men

• Urethritis is an inflammation of the urethra( urethra).Accompanied by painful urination, if you ignore the problem, there are purulent discharge.
• Prostatitis is an inflammatory process in the tissues of the prostate.

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Child

Often, the increase in white blood cells in the urine of children, especially newborns and infants, is diagnosed if the material collection rules are not followed.

Also this condition may be a consequence of:

• allergic reactions;
• helminthic invasions;
• diaper rash, which occur when the thermoregulation process is broken for a long time;
• retention of urination, when the child suffers long.

If these factors are not present, it is necessary to conduct a child's examination in time to identify:

• inflammation of the genitourinary system;
• metabolic disorders;
• abnormality of ureter development, in which reflux is observed - obstructions in the urinary tract, resulting in it being thrown back into the bladder.

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Pregnancy

Increased white blood cell count in the urine at the initial stages of pregnancy is a natural condition in which these cells accumulate in the uterine mucosa, protecting the fetus from possible infections. Also, a slight increase in their number is characteristic for the period of attachment of a fertilized egg to the uterine wall. However, a prolonged leukocyturia may indicate inflammatory processes in the kidney tissue - the so-called pyelonephritis of pregnant women, which arises from large loads on the kidneys.

During pregnancy, the woman's immunity is weakened, which makes her body particularly prone to infections. During this period, urinalysis is an important component of monitoring the condition of a pregnant woman. It allows timely detection and cure of diseases with minimal damage to the health of the mother and fetus.

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How to lower

Increase in the levelleukocytes in the urine is not an independent disease, but a symptom of possible violations. Therefore, treatment should be aimed at eliminating the pathological process that caused this condition. Before applying therapeutic measures, it is necessary to conduct a comprehensive examination of the body and correctly diagnose the disease.

• In infectious leukocyturia, when a large number of bacteria are found in the urine, antibiotics should be treated( Nolitsin, Tziprolet).
• Aseptic leukocyturia( without bacteria) does not require the use of antibacterial drugs, often enough local treatment - irrigation and syringing. Also, a doctor can prescribe a course of B vitamins, ascorbic acid, immunomodulators, herbal preparations( Kanefron).