What are the urine findings typically seen in glomerulonephritis?

Dysmorphic red blood cells (RBCs) and RBC casts are hallmark findings in the urine of patients with glomerulonephritis. The presence of dysmorphic RBCs suggests that the red blood cells have undergone deformation as they pass through the damaged glomerular membrane, indicating glomerular injury. Additionally, RBC casts signify that the red blood cells are aggregated with protein material in the renal tubules due to inflammation or damage in the glomeruli, further supporting a diagnosis of glomerulonephritis. These findings are characteristic of glomerular injury and help distinguish it from other types of renal pathology.

In contrast, while white blood cells could be present in other renal conditions, they are not specific to glomerulonephritis. Normal cells would indicate a healthy urinary tract and are not associated with the inflammatory processes that characterize glomerulonephritis. Similarly, crystals are often associated with metabolic or other tubular disorders rather than glomerular damage. Thus, the combination of dysmorphic RBCs and RBC casts uniquely points toward glomerulonephritis in the context of urine findings.