Urine Microscopy Flashcards
Preparation for urine sediment
10-15mL to be centrifuged at 400rcf for 5 min
sediment is prepped, 0.5-1.0mL
Sternheimer-malbin stain
Wet prep stain that stains cytoplasm and nuclear contents
toludine blue
Dry prep stain
lipid stain (oil, red0 and sudan III) ie gram stain
Resolution
ability to differentiate small objects close together
Contrast
Differentiating the cell from the background
Brightfield microscopy, advantages and disadvantages
light is transmitted through the sample and absorbed
ADV: good resolution, true color, true dimensions
DisADV: unstained are not high absorbing, wet=artifact, dry=dead cells
Dark Field Illumination, advantages and disadvantages
Light is directed through sample from different directions and reflects off of the objects
ADV: excellent contrast, max detectability
DisADV: not for measurements, lower resolution, dust can interfere
Phase contrast, advantages and disadvantages
first method used to visualize live cells. Light is passing through the sample slower
ADV: improved contrast for live cells, orientation independent, no polarizers, plastic is ok
DisADV: reduced resolution, not good for thick samples
Polarizing advantages and disadvantages
polarized light=illumination, changes when passed through sample
ADV: ID crystals and lipids, biofringent samples
DisADV: need a polarizer, sensitive to orientation, no plastic
Fluorescent advantages and disadvantages
UV light hits object, excites e- to give off colors and patterns
ADV: good resolution and many applications
DisADV: fixed, thin sample and very expensive
Interference Contrast Microscopy
polarization+phase contrast
RBC’s in a microscopy sample
Normal= 5 per high power field (40x)
usually look like standard RBCs
RBC ghost=diluted sample or high pH
Crenated RBCs
Found in samples with high SG
WBCs in microscopy
Lymphocytes, neutrophil, monocyte, esinophils
Enter through urine tract, not kidneys
wright stain differentiates
Glitter cells
WBC in hypotonic solution, granules wiggle
Pyuria
high WBC count due to inflammation
Lymphocyte in urine reason
transplant rejection
Neutrophil in urine reason
bacterial infection
monocyte in urine reason
tissue damage
Eosinophil in urine reason
Allergic reaction
Epithelial cells microscopy
line urinary tract and nephron tubules. Squamous, transitional, and renal tubular
Squamous epithelial cells in Urine
no clinical significance, small central nucleus, largest cell found in urine, will slough off occasionally
Transitional cells in urine
Ureters and portions of bladder. Many in urine means viral infection or bladder cancer
Renal tubular cells (RTE) in urine
lines tubules in kidney, small but larger than any WBC. Should not be found in urine. If there are many, then kidney was exposed to a toxin
Lipids in urine
Should not see normally, present if there is glomerular damage. Looks like small bubbles and is highly refractive.
Diabetes mellitus, tubular necrosis, bone crushing trauma, nephrotic syndrome
Oval Fat Bodies
RTE’s filled with lipid. Not normal. Same causes as lipids. Is mainly cholesterol and triglycerides
Bacteria in urine
should not have. UTI or Kidney infection. Rods or cocci, WBC’s present signifies UTI.