Cytochemical Method for Staining Active Leukocytes in Tubulo-interstitial Bacterial Nephritis - A Comparative Study

Stoyanka Tancheva

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijcu.20250902.23

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Cytochemical Method for Staining Active Leukocytes in Tubulo-interstitial Bacterial Nephritis - A Comparative Study

Stoyanka Tancheva^*

Published in International Journal of Clinical Urology (Volume 9, Issue 2)

Received: 10 May 2025 Accepted: 4 October 2025 Published: 31 October 2025

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Abstract

The demonstration of active, live leukocytes (glitter cells) in the final urine sediment is a marker for the presence of an inflammatory process in the excretory system of the kidneys in tubulointerstitial bacterial nephritis, acute pyelonephritis. These cells are best seen using a phase-contrast microscope. Unfortunately, these types of microscopes are expensive, their maintenance is complicated, and their use requires specially qualified and trained personnel. Therefore, we decided to experiment in two directions: 1. To use the capabilities of a conventional light microscope to detect active leukocytes in the urine sediment, 2. To make a comparative analysis between our proposed original, fast and inexpensive method for demonstrating active leukocytes in the urine sediment by staining with a 1% solution of the dye Methylene-Blau, on the one hand, and our modified method for staining cells in the urine sediment with Eosin-Yello (Eo-Yell) (which is standardized by WHO for demonstrating active, live spermatozoa). Our method for staining polymorphonuclear leukocytes in urine sediment with Methylene-Blau well differentiates the population of active and the population of inactive leukocytes, and the quality of cytological preparations with our method provides an excellent and suitable alternative to cytological staining in the examination of urine sediment for evidence of acute kidney infection. Our proposed method is a good urinary "biomarker" for acute kidney disease. When used properly, urine sediment results alert health care professionals to the presence of kidney disease, while providing diagnostic information to localize kidney damage, guide therapy, and aid in prognosis. Our published method can be used to demonstrate living cells (living tissues) - a current issue related to transplantation. But this is a subject of future research and trials.

Published in	International Journal of Clinical Urology (Volume 9, Issue 2)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijcu.20250902.23
Page(s)	187-191
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Urine Sediment, Cytodiagnosis, Viable Cells /Cultures/, Glitter Cells, Acute Pyelonephritis

References

[1]	Arkan Adnan Alhassan, Nada Abdullah Bamaarof, Faisal Ali Hamoudah, Wejdan Abdullah Alzahrani, Rowaa Mohammed Al-Juhani, Raghad Fahad Alotaibi, Huda Taha Halabi, Reem Ziad Alharbi, Fatima Aqeel Alzubaidi, Jawaher Mansour Alshorfa, Pyelonephritis: Diagnosis, and Management Approach, J Biochem Tech, 2020. 11(1): 135-138.
[2]	Cavanaugh C, Perazzella MA., Urine Sediment Testing in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Kidney Disease: Core Curriculum 2019., Am J Kidney Dis. 2019 Feb; 73(2): 258-27.
[3]	Chung VY, Tai CK, Fan CW, Tang CN. Severe acute pyelonephritis: a review of clinical outcome and risk factors for mortality. Hong Kong Med J. 2014 Aug; 20 (4): 285-89.
[4]	Coleman KB. Cystitis and pyelonephritis: diagnosis, treatment and prevention. Primary care. 2019; 46 (2): 191–202.
[5]	Cesar F. Hernandez-Arroyo, Vipin Varghese, Muner MB Mohammed, Juan Carlos Q Velez; Urinary sediment microscopy in acute kidney injury associated with COVID-19, kidney 360.2020, June 2; 1 (8): 819-823.
[6]	David R Lane, Sukhjit S Takhar, Diagnosis and treatment of urinary tract infection and pyelonephritis, Emerg Med Clin North Am, 2011 Aug; 29(3): 539-52.
[7]	Eremenko R, Barmatz S, Lumelsky N, Colodner R, Strauss M, Alkan Y. Urinary tract infection in ambulatory children and adolescents: an analysis of the risk of antimicrobial resistance. Isr Med Assoc J. 2020 Apr; 22(4): 236-240.
[8]	Gavin J. Becker, Giuseppe Garigali, Giovanni B. Fogazzi, Advances in urine microscopy, Am J Kidney Dis. 2016 Jun; 67(6): 954-64.
[9]	Hatice Yuksel 1, Elif Kilic, Aysun Ekinci, Osman Evliyaoglu; Comparison of fully automated urine sediment analyzers H800-FUS100 and LabUMat-UriSed with manual microscopy, J Clin Lab Anal. 2013 Jul; 27(4): 312-316.
[10]	Ilaria Lippi, Verena Habermaas, Eleonora Gori, Valentina Virginia Ebani, Alessio Pierini and Veronica Marchetti, Urinary tract cytology: potential role in urinary tract infections in dogs, Veterinary Sciences Jun 2022; 9(6): 304.
[11]	Marlis MB Habing 1, Judith Bodeus 2, Petra MC Kallenbach 3, Frank GH van der Klee, The diagnostic value of urine microscopy: a comparison of nephrologist- and laboratory-based interpretation, J Nephrol. 2022 Dec; 35(9): 2429-2431.
[12]	Medina M, Castillo-Pino E. Introduction to the epidemiology and burden of urinary tract infections. Ther Adv Urol. 2019; 11: 1756287219832172. https://doi.org/10.1177/175628
[13]	Perazzella MA; Urine sediment as a biomarker of kidney disease.; Am J Kidney Dis. 2015 Nov; 66(5): 748-55.
[14]	Perazella MA, Coca SG, Hall IE, Iyanam U, Koraishy M, Parikh CR., Urine microscopy is associated with severity and worsening of acute kidney injury in hospitalized patients., Clin J Am Soc Nephrol. 2010 Mar; 5(3): 402-8.

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APA Style

Tancheva, S. (2025). Cytochemical Method for Staining Active Leukocytes in Tubulo-interstitial Bacterial Nephritis - A Comparative Study. International Journal of Clinical Urology, 9(2), 187-191. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijcu.20250902.23

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ACS Style

Tancheva, S. Cytochemical Method for Staining Active Leukocytes in Tubulo-interstitial Bacterial Nephritis - A Comparative Study. Int. J. Clin. Urol. 2025, 9(2), 187-191. doi: 10.11648/j.ijcu.20250902.23

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AMA Style

Tancheva S. Cytochemical Method for Staining Active Leukocytes in Tubulo-interstitial Bacterial Nephritis - A Comparative Study. Int J Clin Urol. 2025;9(2):187-191. doi: 10.11648/j.ijcu.20250902.23

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@article{10.11648/j.ijcu.20250902.23,
  author = {Stoyanka Tancheva},
  title = {Cytochemical Method for Staining Active Leukocytes in Tubulo-interstitial Bacterial Nephritis - A Comparative Study
},
  journal = {International Journal of Clinical Urology},
  volume = {9},
  number = {2},
  pages = {187-191},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijcu.20250902.23},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijcu.20250902.23},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijcu.20250902.23},
  abstract = {The demonstration of active, live leukocytes (glitter cells) in the final urine sediment is a marker for the presence of an inflammatory process in the excretory system of the kidneys in tubulointerstitial bacterial nephritis, acute pyelonephritis. These cells are best seen using a phase-contrast microscope. Unfortunately, these types of microscopes are expensive, their maintenance is complicated, and their use requires specially qualified and trained personnel. Therefore, we decided to experiment in two directions: 1. To use the capabilities of a conventional light microscope to detect active leukocytes in the urine sediment, 2. To make a comparative analysis between our proposed original, fast and inexpensive method for demonstrating active leukocytes in the urine sediment by staining with a 1% solution of the dye Methylene-Blau, on the one hand, and our modified method for staining cells in the urine sediment with Eosin-Yello (Eo-Yell) (which is standardized by WHO for demonstrating active, live spermatozoa). Our method for staining polymorphonuclear leukocytes in urine sediment with Methylene-Blau well differentiates the population of active and the population of inactive leukocytes, and the quality of cytological preparations with our method provides an excellent and suitable alternative to cytological staining in the examination of urine sediment for evidence of acute kidney infection. Our proposed method is a good urinary "biomarker" for acute kidney disease. When used properly, urine sediment results alert health care professionals to the presence of kidney disease, while providing diagnostic information to localize kidney damage, guide therapy, and aid in prognosis. Our published method can be used to demonstrate living cells (living tissues) - a current issue related to transplantation. But this is a subject of future research and trials.
},
 year = {2025}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Cytochemical Method for Staining Active Leukocytes in Tubulo-interstitial Bacterial Nephritis - A Comparative Study

AU  - Stoyanka Tancheva
Y1  - 2025/10/31
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijcu.20250902.23
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijcu.20250902.23
T2  - International Journal of Clinical Urology
JF  - International Journal of Clinical Urology
JO  - International Journal of Clinical Urology
SP  - 187
EP  - 191
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2640-1355
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijcu.20250902.23
AB  - The demonstration of active, live leukocytes (glitter cells) in the final urine sediment is a marker for the presence of an inflammatory process in the excretory system of the kidneys in tubulointerstitial bacterial nephritis, acute pyelonephritis. These cells are best seen using a phase-contrast microscope. Unfortunately, these types of microscopes are expensive, their maintenance is complicated, and their use requires specially qualified and trained personnel. Therefore, we decided to experiment in two directions: 1. To use the capabilities of a conventional light microscope to detect active leukocytes in the urine sediment, 2. To make a comparative analysis between our proposed original, fast and inexpensive method for demonstrating active leukocytes in the urine sediment by staining with a 1% solution of the dye Methylene-Blau, on the one hand, and our modified method for staining cells in the urine sediment with Eosin-Yello (Eo-Yell) (which is standardized by WHO for demonstrating active, live spermatozoa). Our method for staining polymorphonuclear leukocytes in urine sediment with Methylene-Blau well differentiates the population of active and the population of inactive leukocytes, and the quality of cytological preparations with our method provides an excellent and suitable alternative to cytological staining in the examination of urine sediment for evidence of acute kidney infection. Our proposed method is a good urinary "biomarker" for acute kidney disease. When used properly, urine sediment results alert health care professionals to the presence of kidney disease, while providing diagnostic information to localize kidney damage, guide therapy, and aid in prognosis. Our published method can be used to demonstrate living cells (living tissues) - a current issue related to transplantation. But this is a subject of future research and trials.

VL  - 9
IS  - 2
ER  -

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Author Information

Stoyanka Tancheva

Faculty of Public Health Care, Burgas State University “Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov”, Burgas, Bulgaria

http://orcid.org/0009-0000-1676-2833

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APA Style

Tancheva, S. (2025). Cytochemical Method for Staining Active Leukocytes in Tubulo-interstitial Bacterial Nephritis - A Comparative Study. International Journal of Clinical Urology, 9(2), 187-191. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijcu.20250902.23

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ACS Style

Tancheva, S. Cytochemical Method for Staining Active Leukocytes in Tubulo-interstitial Bacterial Nephritis - A Comparative Study. Int. J. Clin. Urol. 2025, 9(2), 187-191. doi: 10.11648/j.ijcu.20250902.23

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AMA Style

Tancheva S. Cytochemical Method for Staining Active Leukocytes in Tubulo-interstitial Bacterial Nephritis - A Comparative Study. Int J Clin Urol. 2025;9(2):187-191. doi: 10.11648/j.ijcu.20250902.23

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ijcu.20250902.23,
  author = {Stoyanka Tancheva},
  title = {Cytochemical Method for Staining Active Leukocytes in Tubulo-interstitial Bacterial Nephritis - A Comparative Study
},
  journal = {International Journal of Clinical Urology},
  volume = {9},
  number = {2},
  pages = {187-191},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijcu.20250902.23},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijcu.20250902.23},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijcu.20250902.23},
  abstract = {The demonstration of active, live leukocytes (glitter cells) in the final urine sediment is a marker for the presence of an inflammatory process in the excretory system of the kidneys in tubulointerstitial bacterial nephritis, acute pyelonephritis. These cells are best seen using a phase-contrast microscope. Unfortunately, these types of microscopes are expensive, their maintenance is complicated, and their use requires specially qualified and trained personnel. Therefore, we decided to experiment in two directions: 1. To use the capabilities of a conventional light microscope to detect active leukocytes in the urine sediment, 2. To make a comparative analysis between our proposed original, fast and inexpensive method for demonstrating active leukocytes in the urine sediment by staining with a 1% solution of the dye Methylene-Blau, on the one hand, and our modified method for staining cells in the urine sediment with Eosin-Yello (Eo-Yell) (which is standardized by WHO for demonstrating active, live spermatozoa). Our method for staining polymorphonuclear leukocytes in urine sediment with Methylene-Blau well differentiates the population of active and the population of inactive leukocytes, and the quality of cytological preparations with our method provides an excellent and suitable alternative to cytological staining in the examination of urine sediment for evidence of acute kidney infection. Our proposed method is a good urinary "biomarker" for acute kidney disease. When used properly, urine sediment results alert health care professionals to the presence of kidney disease, while providing diagnostic information to localize kidney damage, guide therapy, and aid in prognosis. Our published method can be used to demonstrate living cells (living tissues) - a current issue related to transplantation. But this is a subject of future research and trials.
},
 year = {2025}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Cytochemical Method for Staining Active Leukocytes in Tubulo-interstitial Bacterial Nephritis - A Comparative Study

AU  - Stoyanka Tancheva
Y1  - 2025/10/31
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijcu.20250902.23
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijcu.20250902.23
T2  - International Journal of Clinical Urology
JF  - International Journal of Clinical Urology
JO  - International Journal of Clinical Urology
SP  - 187
EP  - 191
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2640-1355
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijcu.20250902.23
AB  - The demonstration of active, live leukocytes (glitter cells) in the final urine sediment is a marker for the presence of an inflammatory process in the excretory system of the kidneys in tubulointerstitial bacterial nephritis, acute pyelonephritis. These cells are best seen using a phase-contrast microscope. Unfortunately, these types of microscopes are expensive, their maintenance is complicated, and their use requires specially qualified and trained personnel. Therefore, we decided to experiment in two directions: 1. To use the capabilities of a conventional light microscope to detect active leukocytes in the urine sediment, 2. To make a comparative analysis between our proposed original, fast and inexpensive method for demonstrating active leukocytes in the urine sediment by staining with a 1% solution of the dye Methylene-Blau, on the one hand, and our modified method for staining cells in the urine sediment with Eosin-Yello (Eo-Yell) (which is standardized by WHO for demonstrating active, live spermatozoa). Our method for staining polymorphonuclear leukocytes in urine sediment with Methylene-Blau well differentiates the population of active and the population of inactive leukocytes, and the quality of cytological preparations with our method provides an excellent and suitable alternative to cytological staining in the examination of urine sediment for evidence of acute kidney infection. Our proposed method is a good urinary "biomarker" for acute kidney disease. When used properly, urine sediment results alert health care professionals to the presence of kidney disease, while providing diagnostic information to localize kidney damage, guide therapy, and aid in prognosis. Our published method can be used to demonstrate living cells (living tissues) - a current issue related to transplantation. But this is a subject of future research and trials.

VL  - 9
IS  - 2
ER  -

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