Description
Urine Tract Infection test is intended to check the presence of leukocytes and nitrites in the urine to detect infections in the urinary tract.
Contains one test cassette packed in a sealed aluminum pouch.
Leukocytes (white blood cells) are the main part of the immune system which fight off and protect it from the infection.
In healthy individuals urine is sterile and has only solitary leukocytes (0-5 per high power field). When the amount of WBCs in the urine is abnormal the condition is called leukocyturia/pyuria. Leukocyturia and pyuria are suggestive of urinary tract or kidney infection. These conditions are characterized by the presence of more than 10 WBCs in 1 mm3 of urine. Pyuria is known as sterile when there are no bacteria in the urine. The urine appears cloudy, dark or brown and may have a strong unpleasant odor.
Causes
- Cystitis (interstitial, radiation) – inflammation of the bladder;
- Sexually transmitted diseases;
- Pyelonephritis;
- Kidney stones;
- Polycystic kidney disease;
- Abnormalities or foreign bodies of the urinary tract;
- Pelvic inflammatory disease;
- Bowel incontinence;
- Pneumonia;
- Sepsis;
- Fungal and viral infections;
- Tuberculosis;
- Kawasaki disease and other autoimmune disorders;
- Some medications such as aspirin and paracetamol are known to cause sterile pyuria;
Risk factors
- Females tend to be at higher risk of both leukocyturia and pyuria;
- Pregnancy;
- Menopause;
- Delayed voiding;
- Poor hygiene;
- Large number of sex partners and sexually transmitted diseases;
- Kidney stones;
- Abnormalities of the urinary tract;
- Prolonged use of urinary catheters;
- Impaired immune system;
- Diabetes mellitus;
- History of cystitis or pyelonephritis in the past;
