Differential count and quantitative estimation of granulocytes, mononuclear leukocytes and renal epithelial cells in urine.

Voided urine samples from healthy persons and patients with glomerulonephritis, chronic pyelonephritis and bacterial urinary tract infection were examined. Urine from healthy persons contained 0-12 granulocytes/mm3, 0 mononuclear leukocytes/mm3 and -2 renal epithelial cells/mm3. Urine from patients contained a larger number of cells/mm3 than did urine from healthy persons. With differential counting of granulocytes, mononuclear leukocytes and renal epithelial cells patients with glomerulonephritis could be separated from patients with chronic pyelonephritis or bacterial urinary tract infection. The percentage values obtained at differential counting were not correlated to age, sex, total number of cells/mm3, proteinuria or serum creatinine level.