Pyuria

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Pyuria

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Overview

Definition

Classification

Pyuria Differential Diagnosis

Treatment

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Sadaf Sharfaei M.D.[2]

To view a comprehensive algorithm of common findings of urine composition and urine output, click here

Overview

Pyuria refers to urine which contains pus. Defined as the presence of 10 or more neutrophils per high power field of unspun, voided mid-stream urine. It can be a sign of a bacterial urinary tract infection. Pyuria may be present in the septic patient, or in an older patient with pneumonia. Sterile pyuria is urine which contains white blood cells (pus) while appearing sterile by standard culture techniques. Sterile pyuria is listed as a side-effect from some medications such as paracetamol (acetaminophen).

Definition

Pyuria is a condition in which urine contains pus. Definition of pyuria is as follow:[1]

  • Presence of 10 or more white cells/mm³ in a urine specimen
  • Positive result on Gram’s stain of an unspun urine specimen
  • Positive leukocyte esterase on urinary dipstick test

Pyuria might be a sign of a bacterial or non bacterial urinary tract infection.

Classification

Pyuria may be classified based on the presence of detectable infection as shown below:[2][3]

Classification of pyuria
Group Cell count Bacteria Etiology
Sterile pyuria - Might have infectious or non-infectious etiologies.
Bacteriuria Positive bacterial colony >1000 colony-forming units/ml Mostly have infectious etiologies.

Pyuria Differential Diagnosis

Treatment

  • Sterile pyuria
  • . Pathogen-directed antimicrobial therapy[4]
  • Renal Tuberculosis
  • Gonorrhea
  • Chlamydia
  • Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma
  • Genital herpes
  • Trichomoniasis
Note: Treat patient’s sex partner if trichomoniasis is diagnosed in patient.
  • Fungal infections[5]
  • Preferred regimen, Candida albicans: Fluconazole 100 mg PO qd for 2-5 days
  • Preferred regimen, non-albicans Candida: Amphotericin B 0.1 mg/kg/day IV for 2-5 days OR Amphotericin B bladder irrigation 5-50 mg/L of sterile water qd for 2-5 days
  • Schistosomiasis
  • Preferred regimen: Praziquantel 20 mg/kg PO bid for 1–2 days

References

  1. Horan, Teresa C.; Andrus, Mary; Dudeck, Margaret A. (2008-06). "CDC/NHSN surveillance definition of health care-associated infection and criteria for specific types of infections in the acute care setting". American Journal of Infection Control. 36 (5): 309–332. doi:10.1016/j.ajic.2008.03.002. ISSN 1527-3296. PMID 18538699. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  2. Wise, Gilbert J.; Schlegel, Peter N. (2015-03-12). "Sterile pyuria". The New England Journal of Medicine. 372 (11): 1048–1054. doi:10.1056/NEJMra1410052. ISSN 1533-4406. PMID 25760357.
  3. Kwon, Jennie H.; Fausone, Maureen K.; Du, Hongyan; Robicsek, Ari; Peterson, Lance R. (2012-05). "Impact of laboratory-reported urine culture colony counts on the diagnosis and treatment of urinary tract infection for hospitalized patients". American Journal of Clinical Pathology. 137 (5): 778–784. doi:10.1309/AJCP4KVGQZEG1YDM. ISSN 1943-7722. PMID 22523217. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. Wise, Gilbert J.; Schlegel, Peter N. (2015-03-12). "Sterile pyuria". The New England Journal of Medicine. 372 (11): 1048–1054. doi:10.1056/NEJMra1410052. ISSN 1533-4406. PMID 25760357.
  5. Jacobs LG, Skidmore EA, Freeman K, Lipschultz D, Fox N (1996). "Oral fluconazole compared with bladder irrigation with amphotericin B for treatment of fungal urinary tract infections in elderly patients". Clin Infect Dis. 22 (1): 30–5. PMID 8824962.

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