Leukocytes
Leukocytes are white blood cells that play a key role in the immune defense of the body. Normally, their number in urine is 0–5 per high power field in men and 0–6 in women.
Increased leukocytes in urine (leukocyturia) usually indicate inflammatory or infectious processes in the urinary tract and kidneys, such as cystitis, urethritis, and pyelonephritis.
Leukocyturia can be bacterial (infectious) or aseptic. Infectious leukocyturia is accompanied by bacteriuria and indicates the presence of infection. Aseptic leukocyturia may occur in autoimmune diseases, tumors, renal tuberculosis, and subacute glomerulonephritis.
Massive leukocyte excretion in urine (pyuria) is characteristic of acute infectious-inflammatory diseases of the kidneys and urinary tract.
To clarify the diagnosis, repeated urine tests and additional methods such as Nechiporenko test and urine culture are recommended.
Urinalysis with sediment microscopy is an important diagnostic tool for detecting inflammatory processes and monitoring treatment of urinary system diseases.