Leukocyte esterase is a urine test to look for white blood cells and other signs associated with infection.
A clean catch urine sample is needed. See: Urine specimen - clean catch
No special preparation is necessary for this test.
The test will involve only normal urination, and there is no discomfort.
Leukocyte esterase is a screening test used to detect a substance that suggests there are white blood cells in the urine, which may mean you have a urinary tract infection.
This test is part of the routine urine dipstick test. If this test is positive, the urine should be examined under a microscope for white blood cells and other abnormalities associated with infection.
A negative test result is normal.
Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or test different samples. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.
An abnormal result indicates a possible urinary tract infection.
The following may create a false positive result:
False negative tests can be caused by:
WBC esterase
Landry DW, Bazari H. Approach to the patient with renal disease. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Cecil Medicine. 24th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2011:chap 116.
Ban KM, Easter JS. Selected urologic problems. In: Marx JA, Hockberger RS, Walls RM, et al, eds. Rosen’s Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2009:chap 97.
Litza JA, Brill JR. Urinary tract infections. Prim Care. 2010 Sep;37(3):491-507, viii.
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