Pus Cells in Urine: Normal Range, What do the Levels Indicate
Medically Reviewed By
Dr. Ragiinii Sharma
Written By Prekshi Garg
on Feb 28, 2022
Last Edit Made By Prekshi Garg
on Apr 17, 2024
Infections in your renal tract or even in the kidneys manifest in multiple ways. Early giveaways of the condition include painful urination, burning sensation while peeing, or even itchiness and discomfort. If the symptoms don’t go away easily, they could be indicative of something more severe that only proper testing can unfold. Get your blood checked as per your doctor’s prescription.
In this Article
Urine analysis for detecting pus cells
In the case of laboratory investigations, urine analysis is the third major screening test advised by physicians. This analysis is generally conducted to detect and screen the various byproducts excreted through urine, resulting from normal and abnormal body processes occurring in an individual. Physicians mostly recommend it for the diagnosis of urinary tract infection. Also, it is widely recommended because of its feasibility, and the time required is less.
Urine detailed report, also known as urine D/R by the physicians, is a significant and early laboratory investigation method for evaluating and screening a number of diseases. Urine D/R is also an early and basic assessment step in patients with suspected lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) or undiagnosed febrile illnesses. The presence of pus cells in urine analysis is pyuria. Pyuria is also referred to as bacteriuria. This pyuria or presence of pus cells can be asymptomatic or indicate an acute urinary tract infection (UTI) in adults. The pyuria is considered significant if the number of pus cells is more than 4 pus cells as identified by the high field microscope in a centrifuged urine sample. As per various studies, the presence of pyuria in the case of lower urinary tract symptoms is diagnosed as a urinary tract infection. Another interesting term is sterile pyuria, which indicates the presence of pus cells in urine but after culturing of the urine. The physician examines such analysis in terms of other laboratory and diagnostic interventions.
Normal range of pus cells in urine
The normal range for pus cells from the urine is 0-5. The presence of 8-10 pus cells suggests bacterial infection, which is mostly diagnosed as urinary tract infection(UTI). The physicians recommend a further step is to send the urine for a culture to decide upon the effective antibiotics that can be prescribed.
Pus cells in urine & Indications in Adults
The presence of urinary pus cells ≥ 5 per HPF (high power field microscope) in the diagnosis of urinary tract infection in adults.
Pus cells in urine & indication in children
Urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection from microbes, the most likely diagnosis that the physician derives from the pus cells in urine. In the case of children, the physician suggests a high intake of oral fluids if the bacterial infection is detected. These bacteria are organisms that are too small to be seen without a microscope, so they require detection by a high field power microscope. In most cases, urinary tract infections are caused by bacteria, but fungus is also known to cause UTI, and in rare cases, viruses are the causative agents for UTIs. The physician generally treats with antibiotics and recommends drinking plenty of water which is 3.5 liters per day.
Pus cells in urine & indication in pregnant women
In the case of pregnant women, the urinary tract undergoes physiological and anatomical changes that result in the development of bacteria which are either symptomatic or asymptomatic. It is noted that a physiological increase in plasma volume due to the fetus in the womb during pregnancy causes a decrease in the urine concentration. Certain conditions during pregnancy also cause the development of glucosuria in pregnant women, which is one of the significant reasons for bacterial growth in the urine. Asymptomatic bacteriuria, also known as the presence of bacteria in the urine and urine culture which is significant, 105 bacteria/ml. But still the patient is without UTI symptoms and therefore, known as asymptomatic bacteriuria. But the presence of pus cells in urine indicates the UTI, and the physician recommends the treatment on the basis of the clinical context.
It should be noted that there is a wide prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnant women. This range varies from 1.6–86%. It is estimated that nearly 30–40% of wrongly diagnosed and untreated pregnant women having asymptomatic bacteriuria are likely to develop acute pyelonephritis in the late phase of pregnancy. Pyelonephritis is connected with a high rate of morbidity for both the mother and the growing fetus during the pregnancy. Therefore, physicians recommended that physicians conduct routine urine analysis for early screening and treatment of bacteriuria. Even if the symptoms do not persist, this will help overcome any complications in the pregnancy.
Other diseases and pus cells in urine
Certain infections apart from UTIs cause pus cells to appear in the urine. This includes tuberculosis, autoimmune diseases, kidney diseases, etc.
Conclusion
Urine analysis reports the presence or absence of pus cells in the urine sample. The urine analysis is recommended by the physician as a part of the preliminary investigation. The detection of pus cells in the high range is an indication of bacterial, fungal, or viral infection. The physicians devise the treatment strategy as per the clinical significance of the report.