Week 10: Abnormal UA Seds Oval fat bodies Microorganisms Abnormal crystals Artifacts
Oval Fat Bodies Degenerated renal tubular epithelia Fat globules may show Maltese cross pattern in polarized light Clinically significant
Oval Fat Bodies
Cystine Aminoaciduria may be due to overflow, inability to reabsorb, or abnormal amino acids Cycstine is sulfur containing amino acid. Clear hexagonal plate that may resemble uric acid Cystinuria: hereditary impairment of proximal tubule to reabsorb cystine, lysine, ornithine, arginine. Cystine kidney stone. Cystinosis: hereditary condition where cystine deposits throughout the body. Most common cause of Fanconi’s syndrome.
Cystine
Tyrosine Fine needles May see in liver disease Tyrosinosis: faulty tyrosine metabolism Tyrosine is a naturally occurring amino acid. Product of phenylalanine metabolism and precursor of melanin, catecholamines, thyroid hormones.
Tyrosine
Leucine Concentric sphere Naturally occurring amino acid May see in liver disease along with tyrosine
Leucine
Cholesterol Rhomboid plate with notched corner Weakly birefringent
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) Looks like Caplet
Sulfa Drugs (Sulfonamides) Bacteriostatic Older drugs less soluble
Bilirubin
Bacteria Usually accompany increased leukocytes May be hidden within leukocytes Commonly Escherichia coli Reflex Culture and Sensitivity test
Bacteriuria
Yeast Budding and mycelial (pseudo-hyphae) forms Often seen in diabetics and immunocompromised patients Likely Candida albicans
Trichomonads Flagellated protozoa from urethra Motility quickly decreases as specimen cools Trichomonas vaginalis is a type of STD
Trichomonas vaginalis
Schistosomiasis Only species seen in UA is Schistosoma hematobium that can deposit eggs in the bladder Common in Africa and SW Asia
Schistoma hematobium
Artifacts Sperm and corpora amylacea Starch and talc Fibers Oil droplets Air bubbles Glass fragments Plant cells Pollen Fecal contaminants Enterobius vermicularis (pinworm) Phthirus pubis (louse) Mite X-ray contrast media IVP
Sperm Corpora amylacea
Talc
Fibers
Oil Droplets Air Bubble Glass Fragments
Plant cell Fecal Material Pollen
Enterobius vermicularis
Pubic Louse Mite
IVP
High Specific Gravity IVP and certain antibiotics may cause extremely high SG If SG >1.035 or is not explained by glucosuria, etc., check history Dilution method Make 1:1 dilution with d H 2 O Read SG of diluted specimen Multiply the decimal fraction by 2
High Specific Gravity -- Example 1:1 diluted specimen = Double of = Thus, undiluted specimen = g/mL (original) g/mL(water) = g/2mL = g/mL (diluted specimen)