Leukocytes

Leukocytes are white blood cells (WBC) are cells that help the immune system fight off infectious disease The number of leukocytes in blood has a specific range within which the findings are normal. If the amount of white blood cells is too high, this can indicate that the body is working extra hard to fight off a problem. If the number of Leukocytes is low, it is an indicator that the body is unable produce the normal amount of Leukocytes.

Types of Leukocytes

• Neutrophil - first response cells to defend against bacterial or fungal infections and other very small inflammatory processes
• Basophil - deal with parasitic infections, also help fight allergies such as asthma, hay fever, hives, and parasitic infections
• Lymphocyte - common in the lymphatic system. Lymphocytes are distinguished by having a deeply staining nucleus
• Monocyte - much like neutrophils, but have a longer life and few other benefits that Neutrophils do not
• Eosinophil - help fight parasitic infections, and serve as predominant inflammatory cells in allergic reactions

Leukocytes and Urinalysis

In attempting to diagnose various potential problems, doctors sometimes use urine tests to measure the presence of certain chemicals or substances in the body. One test is for the presence of Leukocytes or nitrates that may be present. A small amount of leukocytes in urine is normal, but an excessive amount of them may indicate a problem somewhere along the urinary tract or elsewhere in the body.

Leukocytes can be detected with a urine dipstick test or in a lab when viewing under a microscope.

Urine Leukocyte Problems

Some common problems that are suspected when finding leukocyte in urine are possible urinary tract infections like pyelonephritis, bladder infections, cystitis, inflammation of the urinary tract or ureters. Accompanying symptoms may be hematuria or very dark urine

If the leukocytes are accompanied by protein in urine, it can be due to pregnancy, or a problems like Albuminuria or having excessive urine ketones. Additional accompanying symptoms may be cloudy urine or foul smelling urine.