OFB in medical terms stands for Oval Fat Bodies.
Oval fat bodies (OFB) are a type of cell found in urine. They are renal tubular epithelial cells that contain lipid (fat) droplets. Their presence in urine (a condition called lipiduria) is often associated with kidney disorders, particularly those that cause nephrotic syndrome.
Here's a breakdown of key aspects:
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Composition: OFB are essentially kidney cells (renal tubular epithelial cells) that have accumulated a significant amount of fat inside them.
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Appearance: Under a microscope, they appear as oval-shaped cells with highly refractile (light-bending) fat droplets inside. These droplets give the cells a characteristic "Maltese cross" appearance under polarized light.
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Significance: The presence of oval fat bodies in the urine suggests damage to the glomeruli (filtering units) in the kidneys, leading to increased permeability and leakage of lipids into the urine. This is a common finding in nephrotic syndrome.
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Association with Nephrotic Syndrome: Nephrotic syndrome is a kidney disorder characterized by:
- Proteinuria (high levels of protein in the urine)
- Hypoalbuminemia (low levels of albumin in the blood)
- Edema (swelling, especially in the ankles and around the eyes)
- Hyperlipidemia (high levels of lipids in the blood)
Therefore, finding OFB in a urine sample can be an important indicator of underlying kidney disease, particularly nephrotic syndrome, and warrants further investigation.
