Aurinalysis(urine test) can detectleukocytes(white blood cells) in the urine.
These cells can be counted with microscopic examination.
There should be no or very few white blood cells in urine.
Halfpoint Images / Getty Images
A leukocyte esterase dipstick test is considered normal when negative, meaning leukocyte esterase is not detected.
With microscopic testing, a normal range is 0 to 5 per high-powered field (hpf).
Talk with a healthcare provider about what your results mean.
Women typically have less than 5 per hpf.
Your healthcare provider will interpret lab results based on your medical history and anatomy.
Another measure of sterile pyuria is 20 leukocytes per microliter, with no bacteria.
These measures may differ from those used by your lab or healthcare provider.
Refer to their specifications.
Certain factors can interfere with a leukocyte esterase test.
Talk to a healthcare provider if you have symptoms of a UTI or have any concerns.
The exact treatment will depend on the cause of the UTI and your personal health considerations.
Leukocytes may be detected in urine using a leukocyte esterase test or with an examination under a microscope.
Leukocytes in urine are a sign of inflammation and may indicate an infection.
They are often due to a UTI but could be due to several other conditions.
If needed, more tests may also be ordered.
Talk to a healthcare provider if you have symptoms of a UTI or other concerns.
Merck Manual.Urinalysis and urine culture.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Blood and urine tests.
St. Luke’s Hospital.Leukocyte esterase urine test.
MyHealth Alberta.Urine test: understanding the test.
Wise GJ, Schlegel PN.Sterile pyuria.
Longo DL, ed.N Engl J Med.
2016;66(644):e225-e227.
doi:10.3399/bjgp16X684217
Goonewardene S, Persad R.Sterile pyuria: a forgotten entity.Therapeutic Advances in Urology.
2015;7(5):295-298. doi:10.1177/1756287215592570
Mount Sinai.Leukocyte esterase urine test.
Shaikh N, Shope TR, Hoberman A, et al.Association between uropathogen and pyuria.Pediatrics.
2016;138(1):e20160087.
doi:10.1542/peds.2016-0087
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Urinary tract infection basics.
National Health Service.Urinary tract infections (UTIs).
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Urologic diseases.
Watanabe T.Pyuria in patients with Kawasaki disease.World Journal of Clinical Pediatrics.
University of California Health.What do your lab test results mean?
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diagnosis of kidney infection (pyelonephritis).
National Kidney Foundation.Urinalysis and kidney disease.
What you gotta know.
Merck Manual.Imaging tests of the urinary tract.
