Have stage 3 kidney disease, general malaise. Could the WBC be from the lupus or from kidney disease?
Patient: I have had left radical nephrectomy from kidney cancer and also have stage 3 kidney disease. Recently my UA has repeatedly shown WBC but no culture growth. I do know how to do a clean catch mid-stream collection. I also have SLE and I am concerned that there is a problem with my remaining kidney since I have had general malaise symtoms. Could the WBC be from the lupus or from kidney disease? Doctor: Hello & welcome to HCM forum  1) WBC/ Pus cell in urine up to 3 cells in female & up to 5 cells are normal.  2) If your urine culture is negative then it indicates that you are not suffering from Urinary Tract Infection.  3) Still pus cells beyond normal limit in urine indicate cells arising from glomeulus in kidney. SLE cause glomerulitis in kidney and you may have pus cells in urine. In such cases, urine examination also shows presence of RBC in urine.  4) You should go for kidney biopsy and immuno-fluorescence study of kidney to see the exact present status.   Thanks  Dr. Mayank Bhargava