Opsiuria is a medical term that refers to the presence of excessive amounts of pus in the urine. Derived from the Latin words "opsi" meaning "pus" and "uria" meaning "urea" or "urine," opsiuria describes a condition in which the urine contains an abnormal quantity of pus due to an underlying infection or inflammation within the urinary tract.
When the urinary tract, consisting of the kidneys, bladder, ureters, and urethra, becomes infected or inflamed, white blood cells are recruited to fight off the infection. These white blood cells, along with other cellular debris, form pus. Normally, only a small number of white blood cells may be present in the urine, which goes unnoticed, but in cases of opsiuria, the amount of pus exceeds the normal range, resulting in an abnormal appearance of the urine.
Opsiuria can be a symptom of various conditions, including urinary tract infections (UTIs), kidney infections, bladder infections, and other inflammatory diseases of the urinary tract. It is often accompanied by other signs of infection such as frequent urination, pain or discomfort during urination, cloudy or foul-smelling urine, and sometimes, blood in the urine. Diagnosis of opsiuria involves analyzing a urine sample for the presence of pus cells using microscopic examination or a dipstick test.
Treating opsiuria typically involves addressing the underlying cause, such as antibiotics for bacterial infections and anti-inflammatory medications for inflammatory conditions. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are essential to prevent the spread of the infection and to maintain the health of the urinary system.
