Final answer:
In urinalysis, infection is indicated by the presence of leukocytes on a reagent strip, as they are white blood cells associated with fighting infections.
Step-by-step explanation:
On a urinalysis reagent strip, the presence of leukocytes is an indicator of a potential infection. Leukocytes are white blood cells that the body produces to fight off infections. When the leukocyte esterase (LE) test on a urine strip is positive, it signifies that white blood cells are present in the urine, which is a common sign of a urinary tract infection (UTI). If the LE test is positive, a urine culture is generally recommended to confirm the presence of an infection.
Other markers detected by urine strips
- High protein levels can indicate kidney disease or damage, not specifically infection.
- Glucose presence may point to diabetes.
- Ketones indicate that the body is metabolizing fat for energy, generally seen in diabetes or starvation.
Thus, when using a urinalysis reagent strip, the detection of leukocytes, as opposed to ketones or glucose, is commonly associated with infection.