Quiz 3 Flashcards
Specimen Preparation
Fresh and adequately preserved
Well mixed
What is the purpose of a microscopic examination?
To detect, identify, and semi-quantitate formed elements in the urine sediment
Specimen Volume
10-15 ml in conical tube (usually 12 ml)
Centrifugation
Do not use brake and cap all specimens usually 1500 rpm for 5 minutes
Sediment Preparation
Leave volume of 1.0 ml or 12:1 concentration
Aspirate supernate with pipette
Gently resuspend the sediment
Volume of Sediment Examined
Traditional – 1 drop with 22x22 glass cover slip; avoid overflow outside cover slip
Examination of Sediment
Bright field most common microscopy used
Reduce light and use continuous fine adjustment focusing
Exam under power (100x) at least 10 field
Identify using high power (400x) for at least 10-15 fields
Kova Stain
- Chemicals
- Identification
Most frequently used
- Crystal violet and Safranin O
- Identify WBCs, Epithelial, and Casts
2% Acetic Acid
- Purpose
- Identification
- Lyses RBCs
2. Distinguish WBC, yeast, oil droplets, and crystals
Lipid Stains
- Chemicals
- Identifies
- Oil Red O and Sudan III
2. Stains Triglycerides and neutral fats orange-red, but does not stain cholesterol
Prussian Blue Stain
1. Stain
- Stain hemosiderin blue
Cytodiagnostic Urine Testing
- What department?
- Type of stain?
- Clinical Significance
- Cytology Department
- Papanicolaou Stain
- Renal disease and malignancies of lower urinary tract
What is the normal value for RBC in the urine sediment?
0-2 RBC / hpf
What is the normal value for WBC in a urine sediment?
0-4 / hpf
What is the normal value of epithelial cells in the urine sediment?
Few epithelial cells
What is the normal value of hyaline casts in a urine sediment?
0-2 Hyaline casts / lpf
What is the normal amount of mucus found in a urine sediment?
Trace amounts
How do you calculate the amount of red blood cells in a microscopic?
Calculate average # in 10 hpf
Crenated Red Blood Cells
Hypersthenuric –> high osmotic pressure in urine
Ghost Cells
Lysed RBCs with only cell membrane left –> result of acetic acid
Dysmorphic Red Blood Cells
Indicative of glomerular damage
Vary in size and cellular background
Hematuria
Presence of RBC in urine
What does hematuria indicate?
Renal disease; bleeding in urinary tract; infection; tumor; strenuous exercise; trauma; inflammation; stones; catheterization
Pyuria
Presence of WBC in urine
How do you calculate white blood cells in a microscopic?
Calculate # / hpf (using at least 10 fields)
What white blood cell is most common in the urine?
Granulated, multilobed nucleated neutrophils
Glitter Cells
Neutrophils that have swelled due to a hypotonic urine
Eosinophils
Drug induced allergies
Mononuclear cells
Monocytes, lymphocytes, macrophages, histiocytes
What stain is used to enhance nuclear detail of white blood cells?
Supravital stains or acetic acid
What are white blood cells in the urine sediment indicative of?
Infection or inflammation of genitourinary system
What are epithelial cells in a urine sediment derived from?
Derived from normal sloughing of old cells from the linings of the genitourinary system
Origin of Squamous Epithelial Cells
From linings of vagina, female urethra, lower portion of male urethra
Characteristics of squamous epithelial cells
Largest cell in urine sediment with abundant, irregular cytoplasm and prominent nucleus
Clue Cell
Squamous variation with pathological significance: Gardnerella vaginalis covers cell surface
Transitional Epithelial Cell: Origin
From lining of renal pelvis, calyces, ureters, bladder, and upper portion of male urethra
Characteristics of Transitional Epithelial Cells
Absorb large amounts of water causing a variety of forms (caudate, polyhedral, spherical, flat, cube shaped, columnar)
What is an increase in transitional epithelial cells indicative of?
Viral infection or malignancy
Origin of Renal Tubular Epithelial Cells
Proximal Convoluted Tubule
Distal Convoluted Tubule
Collecting Duct
Characteristics of RTE (proximal convoluted tubule)
Larger, rectangular (column)
Characteristics of RTE from Distal Convoluted Tubule
Smaller, round, or oval
Characteristics of RTE from Collecting Duct
Cuboidal (never round) with one straight edge
What are RTE cells indicative of?
Necrosis of renal tubules due to drugs, hemoglobin, and metal toxicity
Function of RTE cells
Reabsorption of glomerular filtrate and can contain filtrate substances such as bilirubin, hemosiderin, and oval fat bodies
Oval Fat Bodies
Lipids, highly refractile
Fat stains stain triglycerides and neutral fats
Cholesterol – polarized – Maltese cross formed
Bacteria
1. Types
Rod or cocci
What does bacteria indicate?
Upper or lower urinary tract infection especially if seen with WBCs, positive nitrite, and positive leukocyte esterase and should be cultured for identification
Characteristics of Yeast
Small, oval, refractile cells with or without buds or mycelia
What is the most common yeast infection?
Candida albicans
What increases your chances of a yeast infection?
Diabetes, pregnancy, immunocompromised patients, vaginitis
What is the most common parasite encountered?
Trichomonas vaginalis