Urinalysis and Kidney Disorders

White blood cells (WBCs) in urine can signal an infection, inflammation, or other health issues affecting the urinary tract.

A common reason for WBCs in urine, especially in women, is contamination from vaginal discharge during urine collection.

A urinalysis can detect WBCs and other abnormalities like nitrites, red blood cells, protein, or bacteria, aiding diagnosis.

Urine culture helps pinpoint specific bacteria if infection is suspected, guiding antibiotic treatment.

Imaging techniques like ultrasound or CT scan help investigate potential underlying causes like kidney stones, tumors, or structural issues.

Blood tests evaluate kidney function, infection markers, and systemic inflammation indicators to gain a broader picture of health.

Antibiotics are the primary treatment for bacterial infections like urinary tract infections (UTIs) or pyelonephritis.

Hydration plays a vital role in flushing out the urinary system, easing mild UTIs or inflammation symptoms.

Transparent, colorless, most common type of cast. Often seen in healthy individuals, especially after exercise, dehydration, or fever. May also indicate mild renal conditions.

Cylindrical with embedded red blood cells, often giving them a reddish or brownish color. Indicate glomerular injury, common in glomerulonephritis, vasculitis, or severe kidney inflammation.

Contain white blood cells within the cast structure. Indicate inflammation or infection within the kidneys, often associated with pyelonephritis (kidney infection), interstitial nephritis, or other inflammatory kidney diseases.

Have a coarse or fine granular appearance, formed from the breakdown of cellular casts or plasma proteins. Often a sign of acute tubular necrosis or other types of renal damage.

Smooth, with a homogenous, waxy appearance, often broader and more rigid than other casts. Indicate chronic renal disease and signify prolonged stasis within the tubules. Associated with advanced kidney disease, chronic renal failure, or severe renal tubular atrophy.

Often benign and non-specific. May indicate mild kidney conditions.

Indicate kidney disease or inflammation. Require further investigation.

Often associated with severe or chronic kidney conditions, such as chronic kidney disease and nephrotic syndrome.

Fatty casts are found in urine and appear as droplets with a distinctive 'Maltese cross' pattern under polarized light. They signify a serious kidney challenge involving high protein and lipid levels, often seen in nephrotic syndrome.

Epithelial cell casts are seen in urine and contain cells from the kidney tubules. They reflect damage or death of these cells, often caused by kidney injury (e.g., from toxins, heavy metals or infections).

Crystals form in urine when concentrated substances exceed their solubility. These crystals may be harmless or indicate an underlying condition, like specific diet or health issue.

Uric acid crystals in urine are often yellow or reddish-brown. They can indicate gout, hyperuricemia, dehydration, or specific metabolic disorders.

Calcium Oxalate crystals appear in urine as colorless or slightly yellow, taking the shape of envelopes or octahedrons. They might signal kidney stones, hypercalciuria, or ethylene glycol poisoning.

Calcium Phosphate crystals found in urine are generally colourless and needle-like or rosette shaped. They may indicate hypercalciuria, kidney problems, and certain types of acidosis.

Struvite crystals (Magnesium Ammonium Phosphate), also known as Triple Phosphate, appear in urine as prism-like structures. They indicate infection, especially with urease-producing bacteria, and may contribute to kidney stones.

Ammonium Biurate crystals in urine are yellow-brown and often have thorny or spiky shapes. They can indicate a liver problem, high ammonia levels, or a metabolic disorder.

These crystals are usually large, colorless, and shaped like coffin lids or rectangular prisms. They indicate urinary tract infections, particularly when caused by urease-producing bacteria like Proteus.

These crystals are brown or yellow and appear spiky or like thorny apples. They are associated with chronic urinary tract infections and urea-splitting bacteria.

These crystals are colorless and flat, often hexagonally shaped or resembling piles of coins. They are linked to a genetic disorder called cystinuria, which causes the formation of cystine stones.

These crystals are typically brown or yellow, appearing needle-like or granular. They point to liver disease, biliary obstruction, or hemolysis.

These crystals are flat, rectangular, or resemble stacked coins. They are found in patients with nephrotic syndrome due to increased lipid excretion.

These are non-crystalline structures that appear granular or cloudy in urine. They are usually benign and can be present after a high-phosphate meal or alkaline medication.

These are colorless or white granular sediment in urine, often creating a cloudy appearance. They are generally not concerning, but large quantities can indicate dehydration or minor metabolic issues.

These crystals are typically present in alkaline urine.

These tiny, granular, yellow-brown particles are often found in acidic urine. Their presence is usually benign, but can be related to dehydration, fever, or high-purine diet.

These granular, white-grey particles form in alkaline urine, often appearing as clumps or a cloudy layer. While usually harmless, too many can interfere with microscopic analysis.

They are small and rounded, sometimes budding or chained. Often associated with UTIs or yeast infections.

They can take various shapes, but are often small rods. Their presence can indicate an infection, especially when they are numerous in a clean-catch sample.

This is the presence of bacteria in urine and is usually confirmed through urine culture. Significant numbers are considered over 100,000 CFU/mL in a clean-catch sample.

This is the microscopic examination of urine for cells, crystals, casts, and microorganisms. It helps diagnose various urinary tract conditions.

Urine pH is a measure of its acidity or alkalinity. It is usually measured on a scale from 0 to 14 with 7 being neutral. Normal pH is typically between 4.5 and 8.0.

These are microscopic structures that mold themselves to the shape of the kidney tubules and are often seen in urine. Their presence can signify different kidney conditions depending on their type.

The presence of budding yeast cells or pseudohyphae in urine, particularly in symptomatic patients, strongly indicates a potential yeast infection.

Trichomonas vaginalis is a sexually transmitted parasite that can infect the urinary tract, causing itching, burning, and urinary discomfort. While it’s typically found in vaginal secretions, it may occasionally be detected in urine samples, especially in women.

Eggs of Schistosoma haematobium, a parasite causing urinary schistosomiasis, can sometimes be found in urine sediment, particularly in regions where this infection is prevalent.

A high count of bacteria (>100,000 CFU/mL) in urine, along with abundant yeast or the presence of motile Trichomonas, strongly points toward a urinary infection.

The presence of microorganisms in urine is most relevant clinically when it's associated with symptoms like pain, burning during urination, or fever.

Artifacts in urine are foreign materials that can look like pathological elements under a microscope, but are not actually part of the urine. They can mislead diagnoses.

Artifacts can cause confusion with real pathological elements due to their appearance under the microscope, leading to potential diagnostic errors.