WHITE BLOOD CELLS IN URINE-A SIGN OF UTI?

A SIGN OF UTI

The presence of WBC or leukocytes in the urine may be an indication of the presence of Urinary Tract Infection, a newer study has got proof. Routinely during pregnancy est for the presence of leukocytes is conducted to assess a possible presence of UTI.

Leukocytes are commonly known as the white blood corpuscles or WBC is the body's defender cells that are meant for protecting the body from various infections.

They are present in many forms including phagocytes and lymphocytes.

Phagocytes are produced from bone marrow and they are destroying the foreign matter such as bacteria by engulfing it. 

Lymphocytes are produced in the lymphatic system and are more present in lymph circulation than in the blood. The functions of lymphocytes are more complex than phagocytes. These cells recognize foreign cells based on previous encounters. They are the cells that make the adaptive immunity and make our immune system to familiar with an infection and face that infection with more advanced responses to it.

Lymphocytes also produce antibodies that fight with the foreign materials that enter into the body as antigens.
There are other types of leukocytes such as eosinophils which usually target large parasites. The body can tolerate eosinophils up to 4% and above which eosinophils may cause allergic reactions and inflammations.
A higher number of leucocytes present in the urine may indicate the presence of inflammation in the Kidney or bladder. But if the presence is high then there may be inflammation with infection.
The presence of nitrites may confirm the presence of infections.
Nitrites and leukocyte esterases can be detected by the dipstick test.