Urine Eosinophils

Investigation of possible acute interstitial nephritis

Eosinophils are white blood cells that normally do not appear in urine. The presence of eosinophils in the urine is seen in acute interstitial nephritis, which is caused by an allergic reaction, typically to drugs.

Specimen Type 

Urine

Specimen Required 

Container/Tube: Unstained slide

Specimen Volume: 1 slide

Collection Instructions:

• Collect a random urine specimen.
• Spin 10 mL of a random urine collection in centrifuge.
• Pour off supernatant. Assess urine sediment for presence of white blood cells (WBC). If no WBCs are seen, the eosinophil test can’t be performed. If WBCs are present, prepare slides using the spun sediment.
• Unstained slide should be prepared within 2 hours of collection.
• Centrifuge urine in cytospin centrifuge at speed of 750 rpm for 5 minutes.
• Guidelines for slide preparation. Use the sediment to prepare slides as follows:
  • 150 mcL of sample for 1 to 3 WBC/high power field (hpf).
  • 100 mcL of sample for moderate to normal sediment (<50 cell/hpf).
  • 50 mcL of sample for heavier sediment (>50 cells/hpf).
  • 25 mcL for packed fields of sediment.

Reference Values 

None seen

Interpretation 

Greater than 5% eosinophils indicates acute interstitial nephritis; 1% to 5% eosinophils is indeterminant.

Cautions 

No significant cautionary statements.

Clinical Reference 

1. Hansel FK: In Clinical Allergy. CV Mosby Co. St. Louis, 1953

2. Brunzel NA: Chapter 8: Microscopic Examination of Urine Sediment. In Fundamentals of Urine and Body Fluids Analysis. Third edition. Edited by NA Brunzel. Elsevier Saunders. St. Louis, MO, 2012, pp 171-172

Method Description 

Hansel stain.(Brunzel NA: Chapter 8: Microscopic Examination of Urine Sediment. In Fundamentals of Urine and Body Fluids Analysis. Third edition. Edited by NA Brunzel. Elsevier Saunders. St. Louis, MO, 2012, pp 171-172)

PDF Report 

No

Day(s) and Time(s) Test Performed 

Monday through Sunday; Continuously

Analytic Time 

Same day/1 day

Maximum Laboratory Time 

1 day

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