Leukocyte count as the most important indicator for identifying urinary tract infections
The doctor identifies various diseases through tests of blood and urine. If the doctor finds a high number of leukocytes (white blood cells) in the urine sample, this indicates a bacterial infection of the kidneys or urinary tract. The amount of leukocytes in urinary tract infections is increased. The urine looks and smells different than usual. There are also problems with urination and a constant urge to urinate.
What does the doctor mean by urinary tract infection?
Urinary tract infections are bacterial inflammations of the urinary tract, the urethra, bladder, ureters, renal pelvis and intervening tissue. Infections of the urinary tract in the narrower sense are bladder inflammation (cystitis) and kidney pelvis inflammation (pyelonephritis). Decisive in urinary tract infections are leukocytes, which occur more frequently in the urine, and bacteria.
Symptoms of urinary tract infections
In the case of an infection, in addition to a cloudy discoloration of the urine, pain and burning occur when urinating. The patient has a constant urge to urinate. In the case of a bladder infection, there is also pain over the pubic bone. If there is flank pain, back pain, fever and chills, there is a suspicion of inflammation of the renal pelvis or other inflammatory kidney diseases . The cause is treated with antibiotics.
What is the task of leukocytes?
Leukocytes are part of the body’s defense system. They are able to detect and destroy harmful invaders. If a urinary tract infection occurs, the body produces more white blood cells and transports them to the affected areas. According to Prim. Univ. Prof. Dr. medical Wolfgang Hübl, specialist in medical and chemical laboratory diagnostics, a cystitis.
The body is constantly requesting leukocytes. They survive for a short time. The body excretes dead leukocytes through the kidneys and urine. An increased number of leukocytes in urinary tract infections is reflected in the urine. A small amount of white blood cells in the urine is normal as this process is ongoing.
Which leukocyte counts are normal?
Up to ten leukocytes per microliter (µl) of urine is considered normal. When examined with the microscope, two to three leukocytes are visible per field of view. If the number of white blood cells is increased, according to Dr. medical Wolfgang Hübl presented a so-called leukocyturia or pyuria.
What are the causes of leukocyturia?
dr medical Hübl confirms that bacterial infections of the urinary tract in the bladder, ureter or urethra are the causes. Possible sites of infection are the kidneys or, in men, the prostate or testicles. Urinary tract infections are the most common infections. They are mainly diagnosed in females. Urinary tract infections are 50 times more common in women than in men.
In addition to increased leukocytes in urinary tract infections, there are also those in sterile inflammations. Here, the laboratory shows a leukocyte count above the norm, but no bacteria in the urine. The causes are kidney inflammation, inflammation of the urinary tract and genitals in advanced tuberculosis, venereal diseases and Reiter’s syndrome.
How is the diagnosis made?
The doctor diagnoses increased leukocytes using a urine sample. To do this, doctors use special test strips that they dip into the urine. The urine strip quick test provides information about increased leukocytes in urinary tract infections, for example . If the leukocyte field on the strip changes color, this indicates an abnormal white blood cell count. If the test strip shows leukocytes in the urine and corresponding symptoms occur, an acute urinary tract infection is present.
In addition, the specialist counts the leukocytes under the microscope if the test strip reacts positively. With this tool, the doctor examines the further composition of the urine. In this way, he recognizes crystals, bacteria, yeast and cylindrical cells that indicate various clinical pictures. The appearance and smell of the urine as well as the patient’s physical symptoms provide further information.
Increased leukocytes in urinary tract infections cause cloudy urine with foggy streaks. There is also a sharp smell. This is due to pus, which indicates a bladder infection.
Recognizing causes by two portions of urine
The doctor recognizes the causes of leukocyturia by collecting the urine in portions (a two-glass sample). To do this, he collects 10 to 15 ml of the urine sample in the first glass and 200 ml in the second. If the doctor finds more leukocytes in the first glass than in the second, this indicates a disease in the urethra. If there are just as many white blood cells in the second glass , this affects the urinary bladder, the ureters, the kidneys or the renal pelvis. If the doctor finds cylindrical clusters of leukocytes under the microscope, the cause is in the kidneys.
Avoid urinary tract infections through hygiene
Patients avoid urinary tract infections by swallowing cranberry preparations daily, using estrogen ointment in the intimate area and by maintaining adequate hygiene. This is confirmed by Samantha J. Eells et al. 2013 in the study Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections Among Women: Comparative Effectiveness of 5 Prevention and Management Strategies Using a Markov Chain Monte Carlo Model (Oxfod Journals, Clin Infect Dis. (2014) 58 (2): 147-160) [http: / /cid.oxfordjournals.org/content/58/2/147.full ].
Leukocytes as a warning system in urinary tract infections
In most cases, an increased number of white blood cells in the urine indicates a urinary tract infection. Diagnosis is by test strips and microscopic examination. In many cases, a high number of leukocytes in urinary tract infections is caused by cystitis (inflammation of the bladder). The patient can prevent this by maintaining adequate hygiene in the intimate area or by administering cranberry products and estrogen ointments. The infection is treated with antibiotics. It affects women most often.
Further:
- http://www.onmeda.de/laborwerte/leukozyten-im-urin.html
- https://www.leukozyten-info.de/leukozyten-im-urin
