The Addis-Kakovsky test
Last reviewed: 20.11.2021
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The Addis-Kakovsky test is a very old but effective way of counting the number of red blood cells - erythrocytes, as well as leukocytes, cylinders ("fused" with protein elements) in the urine.
What is the purpose of such a study as the Addis-Kakovski test?
Many diseases have a latent form, and a person often does not notice the menacing symptoms, experiencing only a slight malaise. Any latent diseases related to the kidneys and urinary tract require careful diagnosis, which routinely includes the methods of counting protein compounds, shaped elements in the urine. The Addis-Kakovski test is very similar to another analysis - Nechiporenko's test, but the figures are calculated from the material collected per day. During this period, you can see the dynamics and more accurately determine what is more in the sediment of urine - erythrocytes or leukocytes.
The history of the development of the method is interesting because in 1910 the famous doctor of that time, Kakovsky Anton Fomich, proposed an effective method for diagnosing nephritis.
Kakovsky throughout his professional career sought to find truly effective methods of treating nephropathology. As an experienced clinician, he suggested that counting the number of shaped elements in the collected urine is necessary throughout the day, beginning in the early morning.
Such fractional counting actually gave more detailed and accurate information about the settling of cells. As is often the case, around the same time on the other side of the planet, the American Addis also experimented with urine analysis. And in 1925, taking the Kakowski method as the basis, he improved it a little. Since then, the laboratory began to study the material collected not for the daytime, but for the day. Colleagues did not start the battle for the palm tree, because it was an effective diagnostic event. And since that time the method has come to be called a double name, namely the Addis-Kakovski test. Apparently, Addis was first placed according to the alphabet, and not following the chronology of the development of the methodology.
How is the Addis-Kakovski test done?
Urine should be collected within a day, less often it is done within ten hours. An abundant drink is not recommended, the use of liquid remains normal. The only condition that is put before the patient is, if possible, not to urinate at night. The Addis-Kakovsky test assumes a fractional study of the material, that is, take urine isolated within 10-15 minutes. Normally, about 4 million white protective cells of blood - leukocytes, no more than 2 million red - of erythrocytes and about 20,000 compounds - of cylinders should stand out with urine a day. If the limits of the norm are exceeded in one of their categories of uniform cells, this signals about renal ailments or infectious diseases of the urinary system.
The Addis-Kakovsky test also helps to identify the prevalence of erythrocytes or leukocytes in the sediment. If white cells exceed normal limits, then, most likely this is evidence of pyelonephritis. Leukocytes sometimes reach six million, and this is already a serious form of bacterial infection. Erythrocytes, which "cross" the limits of normal, speak of glomerulonephritis, in such cases red blood cells can reach 5 million.
The Addis-Kakowski test is a method that has been tested by a whole century and has never been let down by doctors, this method has helped before and continues to help in the formulation of an accurate diagnosis.