Dictionary Definition
pyuria n : presence of white blood cells in the
urine; symptom of urinary tract infection
Extensive Definition
In medicine, Pyuria refers to
urine which contains pus. Defined as the presence of 10 or more
neutrophils per high
power field of unspun, voided mid-stream urine. It can be sign of a
bacterial urinary
tract infection. Pyuria may be present in the septic patient,
or in an older patient with pneumonia.
Sterile pyuria is urine which contain white blood
cells (pus) while appearing sterile by standard culture techniques.
Sterile pyuria is listed as a side-effect from some medications
such as paracetamol
(acetaminophen).