When evaluating white blood cells (WBC) in urine, what is considered a significant count?

A significant count of white blood cells (WBC) in urine is considered to be greater than five cells per high power field (hpf). This threshold is important in clinical practice because it often indicates the presence of a urinary tract infection (UTI), inflammation, or other pathological conditions. Typically, finding WBCs in urine is a normal occurrence in low amounts; however, when the count exceeds this cutoff, it suggests a heightened immune response which is usually related to an underlying condition that requires further investigation or treatment. Thus, a count greater than five WBCs per hpf is a clear indicator for healthcare providers to consider further clinical actions or diagnostic testing.