Leukocytes are what are commonly known as white blood cells. The old and damaged WBCs tend to get eliminated from the body in small amounts along with urine. Thus, leukocytes in urine is usually thought to be normal.
When nitrates are detected in urine via a urine test, then it is usually indicative of a urinary tract infection or a UTI. Nitrates in urine usually mean infection by E. coli or other kinds of gram negative bacteria. It may however be noted that leukocytes in urine, especially when it occurs in large amounts in urine, can also be a sign of a UTI. Hence, all cases of increased amounts of leukocytes in urine without nitrates need to be checked by a doctor for underlying causes.
When leukocytes present in urine range from 0 to 10 lev/vl, then it is considered to be normal. Leukocytes in urine above 20 lev/vl is considered abnormal and indicative of some underlying urinary problem.
Symptoms
Patients need to visit a doctor if they face the below listed symptoms; these often accompany a case of leukocytes in urine without nitrates presence:
- Passing out urine that is cloudy and with a foul smell
- Pain when passing urine
- Fever which may occur with shivering, shaking, or chills
- Passing out bloody, pinkish, or reddish urine
- Burning sensations when urinating
- Increased desire to pass urine frequently
- Swollen or inflamed kidneys
- Bladder growths or tumors
Causes of leukocytes in urine with no nitrates
A case of leukocytes in urine without nitrates may occur due to the following underlying conditions:
- Kidney infections like pyelonephritis, etc., may result in leukocytes in urine without nitrates. In most cases, the infection is transferred from the urinary tract to the kidneys. Excessive and prolonged use of urinary catheters as well as a weakened immune system can increase the risk to occurrence of kidney infections.
- People who make it a habit to withhold urine for long periods of time are more likely to experience overstretching and eventual weakening of the bladder. A weak bladder does not have the ability to completely remove all urine from the body. The urine thus accumulated in the bladder is prone to infections. This can then result in diseases marked by leukocytes in urine no nitrates.
- Pregnancy is a period marked by different kinds of hormonal and biological changes in a woman’s body. One of these changes can be passage of protein or leukocytes in urine. This is quite common. Pregnant women however need to seek immediate medical attention if the abnormal urine condition persists for a long time along with other urinary problems, hypertension, etc.
- Any kind of obstruction in the urinary tract can cause the elimination of blood in urine. The condition of bloody urine is called hematuria and it is marked by excessive levels of leukocytes in urine. Some of the common ailments that may cause urinary tract obstructions include bladder stones, tumors, kidney stones, pelvic injury or trauma, prostate hypertrophy, or abnormal matter in the tract.
- Bladder infections like cystitis, etc., marked by inflammation and swelling of the organ can also cause leukocytes in urine without nitrates.
- Another common cause is a urinary tract infection or UTI. The infection can occur when pathogens like bacteria, etc., pass into the tract via the urethra or the bloodstream and begin multiplying. Along with leukocytes in urine, patients may also suffer from symptoms like increased urination, burning sensations when passing urine, smelly urine, cloudy urine, etc. Women are at greater risk to developing UTIs due to their genital anatomy, wherein the vagina and the anus are right next to each other.
- Leukocytes in urine without nitrates may also occur as part of sexually transmitted diseases. STDs can transfer from an infected partner during sexual intercourse.
Treatment
There are many home kits that can help detect leukocytes in urine. Patients can also submit a urine sample for diagnosis at a lab. The sample will be microscopically investigated by the lab technician for presence of varied anomalies. Other chemical tests may also be performed on the urine specimen. For example, a chemical dip stick test can help detect the occurrence of WBC-produced esterase enzyme in the sample.
Treatment of leukocytes in urine without nitrates is dependent on diagnosis of the underlying causative condition. Doctors will then offer appropriate therapies. Some common treatment options are listed below:
- People with severely excessive levels of leukocytes in urine may need to be hospitalized.
- UTIs are mostly treated and completely cured with antibiotics. Doctors may also suggest drinking lots of water, lifestyle changes, and better personal hygiene and care such as washing undergarments on a daily basis, etc.
- Kidney infections are treated with varied medications. Kidney stones or other urinary tract blockages may sometimes need surgery.
