In the article, we will consider how the decoding of urine sediment microscopy proceeds. What kind of analysis is this?
Urinalysis for sediment microscopy is an integral part of the general analysis, which allows to detect various abnormalities in human urine. The doctor can prescribe such a study as part of a preventive examination of the body, for the diagnosis of pathologies of individual organs, for example, the kidneys and urinary system. The reason for the analysis is the symptoms in the form of pain in the abdomen or back, painful urination along with blood impurities, and so on. As a rule, the patient is asked to take a sample of morning urine for analysis. Next, we’ll talk in detail about urinary sediment microscopy.
General analysis information
Before taking the test, of course, in agreement with the doctor, they exclude the use of certain medications, especially diuretics. Urine is collected in a disposable clean container. In this case, it is necessary to avoid touching the inside of the collecting cup in order not to transfer bacteria from hands to the sample. It is also important to observe the hygiene of the genitals.
Deciphering the clinical analysis of urine with microscopy of the sediment is carried out as part of a face-to-face admission, where the doctor explains the patient's indicators, comments on deviations from the norm. The specialist, as a rule, draws the patient's attention to indicators in the form of color, transparency, acidity, density and amount of proteins, glucose and other important values.
Microscopy of urine sediment can be performed during standard analysis. In particular, the study makes it possible to determine the growth of leukocytes in the sediment, which indicates an inflammatory process in the urinary organs.
Which involves deciphering the microscopy of urine sediment, is interesting to many.
Study Information
Urine is the end product of kidney function, which is one of the basic components of metabolism, reflecting the state of metabolism and blood. It contains water along with metabolic products, electrolytes, trace elements, hormones, desquamated tubule cells, urinary tract mucosa, white blood cells, salts and mucus. The combination of chemical parameters of urine in combination with analysis of the content of different metabolic products in it allows us to evaluate not only the functions of the kidneys and urinary system, but also the state of a number of metabolic processes. The analysis allows to identify violations in the functioning of internal organs. This information is provided by decoding the general analysis of urine.
Microscopy of sediment is a qualitative and quantitative determination of a number of insoluble compounds in the urine. The indicators available for research make it possible to obtain additional information regarding metabolism, the infectious or inflammatory process.
It must be remembered that the results of the general analysis are able to correctly interpret and evaluate their compliance with the norm of microscopy of the sediment of urine only by the attending physician, who takes into account clinical and laboratory data along with information from an objective examination and the conclusion of an instrumental study. Now we turn to the interpretation of the research results.
Interpretation of the research result
Deciphering microscopy of urine sediment should only be carried out by a qualified specialist.
Neutrophils in the analysis occur in the presence of urinary tract infection and other conditions. Lymphocytes can be associated with chronic inflammation, a viral disease, and a kidney transplant rejection reaction.
Hematuria is an important sign of urinary tract and kidney disease. Hematuria can also reflect the general tendency of the body to bleed. Epithelial cells trapped in this biomaterial can help determine the location of the urinary tract disease. The squamous cells are located on the part of the external genitalia and therefore are a sign of improper urine collection. An exception is considered pregnant women who have enhanced detachment of squamous epithelium.
What else involves deciphering microscopy of urine sediment in adults?
Particles of transient epithelium can cover the urinary canals in several layers, starting from the renal pelvis up to the bladder in women and to the initial area of the urethra in men. Epithelial cells often occur in the presence of urinary tract infections and against a background of a non-infectious urological disease.
Renal epithelial cells can occur mainly in the urine of patients suffering from tubular acute necrosis and interstitial nephritis, and, in addition, in renal transplant rejection reactions. Also, those can appear with glomerulonephritis.
Cylinders are formed, as a rule, in convoluted distal and collecting tubules. In the cylinders, you can find plasma protein along with lipids, various cells, microorganisms, pigments (we are talking about hemoglobin, myoglobin, bilirubin) and crystals. Hyaline single cylinders are in the concentrated first urine of a healthy person. Microbes can be found in urine sediment. Sometimes in the urine can be found Candida mushrooms or Trichomonas.
In most situations, crystals found in urine do not have clinical significance, as this may be due to the consumption of foods that contain oxalates with urates. This can also be explained by the presence of the sample in a cold place or it depends on the acidity of the urine. Those crystals that occur against the background of re-forming kidney stones or in patients suffering from insufficiency of this organ are important.
What is this study used for?
Such a study is carried out for the following purposes:
- To perform a comprehensive examination of the human body.
- For the differential diagnosis of pathologies of the kidneys and urinary canals.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment of diseases of the urinary system.
- For the diagnosis of metabolic pathologies, and, in addition, violations of the water and electrolyte balance.
- For the diagnosis of pathologies of the digestive system.
- For diagnosing infectious and inflammatory pathologies in a patient.
- To evaluate and monitor the clinical well-being of the patient during therapeutic or surgical treatment.
When is this study scheduled?
Microscopy of the precipitate is prescribed in the following cases:
- As part of a comprehensive examination and monitoring of patients of various profiles.
- When performing a preventive examination.
- With symptoms of pathology of the urinary system (with a change in the color and smell of urine, frequent or rare urination, an increase or decrease in the daily volume of urine, pain in the lower abdomen, fever and swelling).
- During the therapeutic course of treatment of diseases of the kidneys and urinary canals.
- Against the background of the use of nephrotoxic drugs.
Next, find out what such a criterion for the study of urine as white blood cells reports.
White blood cells in a microscope urine sediment
White blood cells are white cells that circulate in the blood. The normal value is considered to be their presence in urine in men no more than 3 in the field of view, and in women no more than 5. An increase in the content of leukocytes is observed in almost all pathologies of the genitourinary system and kidneys. Upon receipt of a positive result, it is necessary to exclude the reasons associated with the error in collecting urine for analysis (for example, the entry of leukocytes from the region of the external genital organs).
Why is a general urine test indicated with sediment microscopy?
Purpose of analysis
Urine is a type of body fluid that is excreted by the kidneys. Together with urine, many products of material metabolism come out of the human body, and therefore by its characteristic they indirectly judge the blood composition, and, in addition, the condition of the urinary canals and kidneys. Urine includes substances in the form of urea, uric acid, ketone bodies, amino acids, creatinine, glucose, protein, chlorides, sulfates and phosphates. Analysis of the microbiological and chemical composition of urine is important in the diagnosis.
The fact is that any deviation from the norm indicates incorrect metabolic processes in the patient's body. When is a general urine test prescribed? Such a study is necessary for people with any disease of the endocrine and genitourinary system. It is also advisable to conduct it in case of deviation in the work of the cardiac, vascular and immune systems and in case of suspected diabetes. In addition, a general urine test is prescribed for patients who have had a streptococcal infection. In addition, it is carried out for preventive purposes and directly to monitor the dynamics of the pathology.
The interpretation of the microscopy of the urine sediment is presented below.
What a general urinalysis shows: deciphering the results
Deciphering the results of such an analysis helps to understand the relevant indicators before visiting a doctor. However, it is impossible in any case to engage in self-medication and self-diagnosis based on the information received. In order to correctly decipher the general analysis of urine and microscopy of the sediment, as well as to determine the diagnosis, you need to contact a specialist. Urine is analyzed according to several criteria, among which there are organoleptic properties along with physicochemical parameters, biochemical characteristics and microscopic examination.
What else should you know about sediment microscopy?
At this stage of the general analysis of urine with sediment microscopy, an unorganized and organized sediment, cylindruria, is examined. In total, microscopy of urine sediment makes it possible to determine about a dozen components of the test fluid. A study of organized sediment gives an idea of the presence of four components in the urine:
- Flat epithelium is normally present in the amount of several units in the studied field. Against the background of deviation, the squamous epithelium enlarges and acts as evidence of the likely development of cystitis, various forms of nephropathy.
- The cylindrical epithelium should normally be absent.
- Red blood cells should normally be present in the field of view in an amount of up to three. If their number is exceeded, then this indicates infections or inflammation of the kidneys, in addition, it may indicate traumatic damage to organs, prostate, malignancy and the like.
- White blood cells normally should not exceed five units. Any excess of them indicates inflammatory processes.
Correct decoding of urinalysis with sediment microscopy is very important.
The study of an unorganized version of the sediment is directed to the study of salts and ions in urine. In total, they are found in quantities of up to ten. But often urine is detected in the urine (which is a manifestation of leukemia, gout, hepatitis or diathesis). Phosphates can also be found (then it comes to cystitis) and oxalates (this indicates diabetes or pyelonephritis). In addition, in an unorganized precipitate, ammonium urate is isolated along with uric acid, tripelfosphates, but they do not have a clear specification.
The term cylindruria is understood as the study of a protein cast, which is formed in the urinary tract. Cylinders are classified by their area of origin and appearance:
- Hyaline cylinders form in the renal tubules, indicating an increase in uric acidity, proteinuria, nephropathy, salt poisoning, intoxication, and so on.
- Granular cylinders form in the same area as hyaline cylinders. They are a manifestation of the problems of pyelonephritis, renal tubules, and nephrotic syndrome.
- Red blood cell cylinders can be detected in urine in the presence of renal infarction, renal vein thrombosis, glomerulonephritis and the like.
Cylinders of the epithelial, waxy, pigmented, and leukocyte species may also occur, but they are usually less common. Now we find out how experts decipher the state of urine in children.
Also, a decoding of a urine test with microscopy of sediment in small patients is separately carried out.
Decoding analysis in children
In a general urinalysis in young patients, exactly the same values are considered as in adults. Thus, transparency is evaluated along with color, specific gravity, acidity, the number of red blood cells, epithelium, white blood cells, and so on. The difference is in normative values.
Deciphering microscopy of urine sediment in children is often attempted by parents, but this should not be done.
Urine in children is usually lighter than adults. In the event that the baby is breastfeeding, then his urine is almost transparent. When products that have a bright pigment (carrots, beets) are introduced into the baby’s diet, the color can become more saturated. It is worth noting that children's urine does not have a pungent odor. In the event that the child’s diet is rich in meat and protein products, the smell only intensifies.
It is also important to note that in healthy people, just like in children, urine should never foam. If the foam does occur, then this may indicate an insufficient amount of fluid in the body. However, when the foam still remains with an increase in drinking, this indicates violations. According to the norm, children's urine should be transparent. Its turbidity can report the penetration of an infection into the child's body or a metabolic disturbance, for example, excessive accumulation of salts.
We examined what urinalysis with microscopy of sediment means.