Leukocyte esterase is a specific enzyme in human leukocytes, which can be used as a marker of mature leukocytes in humans. A positive leukocyte esterase indicates the presence of leukocytes in the test specimen, and an increased number of leukocytes generally indicates the presence of infection, or what is known as inflammation.
Leukocytes are a general term for a group of cells in the blood, including neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, lymphocytes, etc. However, leukocyte esterase is present only in neutrophils, and the leukocyte esterase test is used clinically to detect the presence of neutrophils, which is the inflammatory response represented in life.
It is important to note that a positive leukocyte esterase test in human urine or secretions, as a diagnostic aid for disease, only indicates the presence of neutrophils in the test specimen but does not clarify which pathogen is infecting the body. There are many causes of elevated neutrophil count in the body, including acute infections caused by various bacteria such as pneumonia and appendicitis, serious tissue injuries such as major surgery and myocardial infarction, as well as leukemia and malignant tumors, which can all lead to increased neutrophils.
In summary, a positive leukocyte esterase indicates the presence of neutrophils in the test specimen, suggesting a possible bacterial infection, but the patient needs to be clearly diagnosed in conjunction with the medical history and other relevant laboratory tests.