Urinalysis by "Nechiporenko"

The method is used for the quantitative determination of white and red shaped elements (white blood cells and erythrocytes) in urine. The morning single average portion of urine is being investigated. The norm is the number of erythrocytes less than 1000 units in 1 ml of urine, white blood cells less than 2000 in 1 ml, cylinders – up to 20 units in 1 ml.

The technique differs significantly from the physico-chemical method of urine analysis and microscopy. In the second case, the result is estimated as the number of cells in the field of view of the microscope. For example, 1-2 erythrocytes in the field of vision; 1-2 white blood cells in the field of vision – this method does not display the total number of cells in the total amount of urine.

Purpose of the test:

• Estimation of the number of fortified elements in the urine (severity of the disease);
• Observation of the course of the disease in dynamics;
• Determination of the predominance of the number of cells of one type over the cells of another type.

The latter goal is necessary to clarify clinically similar diseases – glomerulonephritis and pyelonephritis. In glomerulonephritis, erythrocytes predominate in the urine; in pyelonephritis - white blood cells. This is important because these kidney diseases are fundamentally different in their cause, which determines the different treatment options.

If there are no cylinders in the urine (cylinduria) by microscopy, while the doctor suspects a disease that should be accompanied by cylinduria, this test is prescribed in order to identify the cylinders in a more reliable way.