Leukocyte esterase is a specific enzyme in human leukocytes, which can be used as a marker of human mature leukocytes and is used clinically as an aid in the diagnosis of certain infectious diseases and hematologic lesions that cause changes in leukocyte count.
Leukocytes are a general term for a class 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 mostly used clinically to detect the presence or absence of neutrophils, which is represented in life as an inflammatory response.
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 specify the type of pathogenic infection. 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, all of which can lead to increased neutrophils.
In summary, leukocyte esterase is a marker of human mature leukocytes, which to some extent reflects the number of neutrophils, but it cannot clearly identify the type of pathogenic infection, and needs to be combined with other relevant tests for a clear diagnosis and symptomatic treatment.