Cancer. Some tumors such as bladder, prostate or kidney tumors can generate leukocytes in the urine. These situations cause the immune system to weaken. It may also be the case that leukocytes appear as a consequence of the treatment performed against these tumors.
An increased number of white blood cells (WBCs) in the urine may mean there is an infection or inflammation in the urinary tract. An increased number of epithelial cells in the urine may mean there is an infection, inflammation or cancer.
An infection in your urinary tract is the most likely cause of leukocytes in your urine. Any time you have an infection, your immune system ramps up production of these cells to fight off the bacteria.
False Positive Result. In some cases, leukocytes can be found in a urine sample without actually having a urinary tract infection, which may be due to an incorrect technique or bad hygiene when collecting the sample. This is highly suspected if there are no nitrites present in the urine at the time.
Leukocyte esterase is a screening test used to detect a substance that suggests there are white blood cells in the urine. This may mean you have a urinary tract infection. If this test is positive, the urine should be examined under a microscope for white blood cells and other signs that point to an infection.
Most of the time, leukocytosis is a normal immune response caused by infection or inflammation. Sometimes, it's associated with stress, anxiety or pregnancy. In some cases, however, a high white blood cell count could mean something more serious. That's why it's important to talk to your healthcare provider.
[19] Hematuria can cause a false positive result for urine WBCs. Leukocytes and WBCs may be present in urine due to other conditions such as appendicitis, diverticulitis, sexually transmitted infection, and renal injury. False negatives can occur in neutropenic/leukopenic patients.
Trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim, Bactrim DS)
5) Interstitial Cystitis(IC).
If the bladder wall is inflamed, it also can cause leukocytes in urine. So we named it interstitial cystitis. Commonly it happens among women at a high rate. Person may feel frequent and urgent urination and pelvic pain.
Summary. A white blood cell disorder is one in which the white blood cells are either abnormally low (leukopenia) or abnormally high (leukocytosis). There are many possible causes of this, including infections, genetic disorders, autoimmune diseases, and, in rare cases, cancer.
On its own, leukocytosis is usually not harmful. An abnormally raised white blood cell count is not a disease condition, but can point to another underlying cause such as infection, cancer or autoimmune disorders. An abnormally high white blood cell count should always be considered for its possible causes.
Disorders related to having a high white blood count include: Autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, conditions that cause the immune system to attack healthy tissues. Bacterial or viral infections. Cancers such as leukemia and Hodgkin disease.
Leukemia, a type of cancer found in your blood and bone marrow, is caused by the rapid production of abnormal white blood cells. The high number of abnormal white blood cells are not able to fight infection, and they impair the ability of the bone marrow to produce red blood cells and platelets.
Some sources note that people with acute or chronic leukemia may have a WBC count in the 100,000–400,000 range.
Leukocytes in the urine without nitrite
If the test for leukocyte esterase is positive but finds no nitrite, an infection may still be present. The test is particular to certain bacterial enzymes, which means it can pick up specific bacterial infections with more certainty.
Tubular degeneration caused by nephrosis or nephritis must be differentiated from lower urinary tract infection (UTI) or inflammation as either may have an increased number of leukocytes in the urine. Gross pyuria is observed most commonly in pyelonephritis or cystitis in cattle.
Drugs that may increase WBC counts include epinephrine, allopurinol, aspirin, chloroform, heparin, quinine, corticosteroids, and triamterene.
Protein, urine casts (especially red blood cell casts), red blood cells, or white blood cells in the urine can indicate serious kidney involvement; leukocyte esterase may indicate a bladder infection. Urine samples can be given at any time while at the doctor's office.
Cloudiness or an unusual odor can indicate a problem, such as an infection. Protein in urine can make it appear foamy. Blood in the urine can make it look red or brown. Urine color can be influenced by what you've just eaten or by certain drugs you're taking.
The statement that red blood cells are also called leukocytes is false. Red blood cells are also known as erythrocytes rather than leukocytes. Red blood cells are produced through hematopoiesis in the red bone marrow from progenitor stem cells.
Total leukocyte count increases significantly in response to infection, trauma, inflammation, and certain diseases.
An increase in the number of circulating leukocytes is rarely due to an increase in all five types of leukocytes. When this occurs, it is most often due to dehydration and hemoconcentration.