Purpose of a White Blood Cell (WBC) in Stool Test
White blood cells, also known as leukocytes, play an important role in the body in responding to infections and inflammation. They circulate in the blood, but when the lining of the intestine becomes inflamed, these cells can enter the digestive tract and appear in stool.
A white blood cell (WBC) in stool test is mainly suggested to a person who has severe or persistent diarrohea. It checks if a stool sample contains these cells. Presence of white blood cells show that inflammation is involved. The test helps doctor to identify whether the cause of diarrhoea is inflammation or its caused by some other non-inflammatory reason.
This test is also known as faecal leukocyte or stool WBC test.
The test does not identify the exact infection or disease. For example, it cannot show which bacterium is responsible. It also cannot confirm Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis by itself. Other tests are often needed to find the cause.
What are the Symptoms that Prompt this Test?
Mostly diarrhoea improves without laboratory testing. A healthcare provider may request a WBC in Stool Test when the symptoms are more severe, continue for several days or suggest intestinal inflammation.
Symptoms
- Frequent loose or watery stools
- Diarrhoea that does not improve after a few days
- Blood or mucus in the stool
- Abdominal pain or strong cramps
- Fever with diarrhoea
- An urgent need to pass stool
- Tiredness
- Unexplained weight loss
A person may also need testing if diarrhoea begins after antibiotic use, recent travel, suspected contaminated food or contact with someone who has a gastrointestinal infection.
Conditions That May Require This Test
A White Blood Cell (WBC) in Stool Test may be used to evaluate:
- Intestinal inflammation
- Bacterial gastrointestinal infections
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
- Crohn’s disease
- Ulcerative colitis
- Other inflammatory conditions affecting the digestive tract
The test may be ordered alongside other stool tests to help identify the cause of gastrointestinal symptoms.
How to Perform WBC Stool Test
Preparation
- Fasting is not required.
- Inform your healthcare provider about any medications you are taking and follow instructions regarding medications before testing.
- Ask whether any medications need to be temporarily stopped before collecting the sample.
Sample Collection
- A laboratory or healthcare provider give a sterile container for sample collection.
- Collect the stool sample as per instructions
- Avoid mixing the sample with urine or toilet water.
- Close the container securely.
- Wash your hands properly.
- Return the sample to the laboratory as instructed.
Precautions
Sample should be handled carefully as per instructions. White blood cells can break down if a sample is not handled correctly or is left for too long. Follow the laboratory’s delivery and storage instructions carefully.
Parents collecting a sample from a child’s nappy should ask the laboratory for specific directions. The absorbent material in a nappy can affect the sample.
Lab Analysis
The stool sample is usually examined through microscopic analysis or a stained stool smear. The results are reported as positive or negative, depending on whether white blood cells were found or not.
What is the Meaning of Test Results?
This test doesn’t usually have numerical range. Results are interpreted as:
- Negative Result: No white blood cells were found in the stool sample, which is normal
- Positive Result: White blood cells were found in the sample, which is abnormal.
Some laboratories may report number of cells as well.
The reference ranges vary depending on the laboratory and the methodology used. Individuals must consult their healthcare provider for correct interpretation of the results.
Positive WBC Result
A positive result means that inflammation is present in the digestive tract. It does not reveal its exact location, severity or cause.
Possible explanations include:
- An inflammatory bacterial infection
- Crohn’s disease
- Ulcerative colitis
- Other parasitic infections
- Another condition causing intestinal inflammation
The result is a clue rather than a final diagnosis. Your healthcare provider will consider your symptoms, travel history, recent food intake, medicine use and other findings.
Negative WBC Result
A negative result means that no white blood cells were seen. Your symptoms may be due to a cause that does not usually produce intestinal inflammation.
However, a negative finding cannot rule out every infection or inflammatory condition. This may happen if very few cells were present or if the cells broke down before the sample was examined. White blood cells do not remain intact in stool for long. A small number of cells may break down before the sample is tested and may not be detected.
Further testing may be recommended if diarrhoea continues or other concerning symptoms are present.
Tests That May Be Requested Next
Depending on the symptoms, a healthcare provider may recommend:
- Stool culture
- Bacteria or toxin testing
- C. difficile testing
- Ova and parasite test
- Faecal calprotectin test
- Faecal occult blood test
- Complete blood count (CBC)
- C-reactive protein (CRP) test
- Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
- Colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy
A faecal calprotectin test may sometimes be used because it is a more sensitive marker of intestinal inflammation. The most suitable follow-up test depends on the person’s symptoms and medical history.
Book an Appointment
Genex Lab offers professional stool sample testing and laboratory support. Book your appointment to get reliable results for your white blood cell (WBC) in stool test.
