The Cellular Content in Non‐timed Specimens of Urine

Abstract

The present investigation is a report on the cellular content in non‐timed midstream specimens of urine from 643 ambulant males and females and was performed in connection with an examination of blood pressure in the population of Bergen, Norway. Special regard was paid to the influence of the specific gravity of the urine and to bacteriuria (including bacterial contamination: < 104 bacteria/ml). Specimens from males and females without previous urinary tract disorders contained ≤ 7–8 non‐disrupted erythrocytes/mm3 in approximately 95% of the cases, and this value was therefore assumed to be a suitable upper limit for “normal” counts in routine work. The number of erythrocytes was found to be lower in specimens at specific gravities below about 1.010 than above, hypotonic haemolysis being the probable cause of the difference. Correspondingly, ≤ 13 leucocytes + non‐squamous epithelial cells/mm3 were found in approximately 95% of the sterile specimens from males and females without previous urinary tract disorders. Sterile specimens from females did not contain more cells than specimens from males, but specimens with bacterial contamination contained slightly greater numbers of cells than sterile specimens. In males greater numbers of leucocytes + nonsquamous epithelial cells were recorded in specimens at high than at lower specific gravities; in females high cell counts were most frequently observed at the lower specific gravities. Less than 10 leucocytes + non‐squamous epithelial cells were recorded in about half of the specimens from individuals with bacteriuria. A definite borderline between normal and pathological counts can therefore not be established. In females bacteriuria at the level 104–105 bacteria/ml was most often observed in specimens at specific gravities ≥ 1.019. An inhibitory effect on bacterial growth in urine of high specific gravity is suggested.