What condition does pyuria indicate?

Pyuria is defined as the presence of pus in the urine, typically indicating an infection or inflammation within the urinary system, such as a urinary tract infection (UTI). The presence of pus usually consists of white blood cells, which are the body's response to fight off infection. When performing laboratory tests, a significant number of white blood cells in the urine is considered evidence of pyuria.

In contrast, a condition marked by blood in the urine is referred to as hematuria, while crystals in the urine relate to other metabolic conditions and are not associated with pus formation. Similarly, a high concentration of glucose in the urine is known as glucosuria, which is often related to conditions like uncontrolled diabetes. The key feature distinguishing pyuria is the indication of infection, making it important for evaluating patient symptoms and guiding treatment.