What is the significance of macrophages in the stool?

Q: I am 29 years old and had a routine stool examination, which was fine except for macrophages (0-1 HPF). Please advise what does it mean.

A:Cells in the human body breakdown and produce a lot of debris on a daily basis. Similarly, various pathogens or disease causing organisms keep entering the body. Macrophages are normal blood cells in our body that engulf this cell debris and pathogens. They are important defence mechanism. The stool finding of 0-1 macrophages is ok and does not need any treatment.