Leucocyturia is a medical term that refers to the presence of white blood cells in urine. The spelling of this word is based on the Greek roots leuco- meaning "white", -cyto- meaning "cell", and -uria meaning "urine". The IPA phonetic transcription for the word is /luːkəsaɪ'tjʊərɪə/, with stress on the second syllable. This term is important in the diagnosis of various diseases such as urinary tract infections, inflammation, and even cancer in some cases.
Leucocyturia is a medical term used to describe the presence of an abnormally high number of white blood cells (leukocytes) in the urine. Normally, only a small number of white blood cells may be found in urine samples, but when their count exceeds a certain threshold, it is indicative of leucocyturia.
White blood cells are a crucial part of the immune system and play a critical role in protecting the body against infections. During an infection or inflammation, these cells migrate to the site of infection to combat the harmful pathogens. When white blood cells are detected in the urine, it suggests an ongoing infection or inflammation somewhere along the urinary tract, including the kidneys, bladder, ureters, or urethra.
Leucocyturia can be a sign of various urinary tract infections, such as cystitis (bladder infection), pyelonephritis (kidney infection), or urethritis (inflammation of the urethra). It may also be observed in individuals with certain kidney diseases, kidney stones, or even in some cases of urinary tract tumors.
The presence of leucocyturia is typically identified through a routine urine analysis, where the number of white blood cells is quantified. Depending on the underlying cause, further tests or examinations may be conducted to identify the precise location and severity of the infection or inflammation.
Treatment of leucocyturia depends on the underlying cause and may involve antibiotic therapy to address any infection, anti-inflammatory medications, or targeted treatments for specific kidney conditions. Prompt diagnosis and appropriate management of the condition are essential to prevent complications and promote recovery.
The presence of leucocytes in the urine when voided.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "leucocyturia" is derived from two Latin and Greek roots.
"Leuco" is derived from the Greek word "leukos", meaning "white". In medical terminology, "leuco-" or "leuko-" is often used to refer to white blood cells.
"Cyt" is derived from the Greek word "kytos", meaning "cell". In medical terminology, "-cyt" is commonly used to refer to cells.
"Uria" is derived from the Latin word "urina", which means "urine".
Therefore, "leucocyturia" combines "leuco-" meaning "white blood cells", "-cyt", meaning "cell", and "-uria" meaning "urine". Together, the word signifies the presence of white blood cells in the urine, which indicates inflammation or infection in the urinary tract.