Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
My urethral swab test showed epithelial cells +1, polymorphonuclear cells +1 and no microorganisms found. Please let me know what does it mean. Thank you.
Hi,
Welcome to icliniq.com. This report is normal. Epithelial cells are normal cells shed from the urethral wall. Polymorphonuclear cells are insignificant if less than 4 or 5. If more than that, it indicates urethral infection. In your case it is 1, so normal. Also, no infectious microorganisms found.
Patient's Query
Thank you very much for your reply doctor,
I was just wondering why they are still recommending me to take an antibiotic shot or oral even if it is clear. I am attaching the results of my test for your perusal. I just wanted to make sure that I do not hurt anyone with chlamydia or gonorrhea. I do not have any symptoms either. Please help.
Hi,
Welcome back to icliniq.com. I understand your concern and viewed your report (attachment removed to protect patient identity).Clinically, urethritis is suspected based on symptoms like burning urine or other symptoms. Low number or absence of polymorphs rules out gonorrhea and most bacterial antigens, but not every infection. This is called non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU), when there are no abnormalities in the laboratory test (urethral smear). Chlamydia and ureaplasma are the suspected causative organisms and suitable antibiotics are prescribed. Investigating them is cumbersome and expensive too, so usual treatment is given. I would advise you to go ahead with the treatment given for the presumptive diagnosis of NGU, as this is the standard followed practice.
Patient's Query
Thank you doctor,
I will proceed with the treatment of antibiotics. Thankfully, I do not have any burning urine or other symptoms. My last question is just to clarify, when you said that with regards to the polymorphonuclear cells +1 is safe means that chlamydia does not exist? I will schedule my shots today just to be sure that I am clean.
Hi,
Welcome back to icliniq.com. It is good you do not have any symptoms. As per your query, signification increase (4-5) in polymorphonuclear cells is seen in bacterial infections like gonorrhea. They do not increase in number in other less common causes like chlamydia or ureaplasma infections. So, +1 polymorphonuclear cells do not rule out all causes of urethritis.
Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!
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