[Evaluation of pyuria by means of urinary sediment method--a comparison to the counting chamber method]

We compared the urinary sediment method to counting chamber method in evaluating pyuria, in order to elucidate an issue of urinary sediment method. The KOVA system was used for counting chamber method. Three hundred and ten urine specimens from the patients who visited Fuji City Central Hospital in March, 1995, were employed. The numbers of leukocytes of each specimen was counted by means of urinary sediment method and counting chamber method, and compared. The urinary leukocyte count evaluating by means of these two methods were correlated well. However, the discrepancy of urinary leukocyte counts by means of these two methods were recognized in two specimens. In these two specimens, the leukocyte count was 1 to 4/5HPF by means of urinary sediment method, but more than 50/microliter by means of counting chamber methods. Significant bacteria (10(4) cfu/ml or more), positive esterse reaction, and high pH (8.5) were recognized in both specimens. In addition, one of two these specimens was hypotonic (specific gravity was 1.008). Therefore, it was suggested that leukocytes were sometimes disrupted with centrifugation. These results indicate that counting chamber method is more useful urinary sediment method to detect pyuria.