pyelonephritis

pyelonephritis:

see nephritisnephritis
, inflammation of the kidney. The earliest finding is within the renal capillaries (glomeruli); interstitial edema is typically followed by interstitial infiltration of lymphocytes, plasma cells, eosinophils, and a small number of polymorphonuclear leukocytes.
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Pyelonephritis

an inflammation of the calyxes, pelvises, and parenchyma of the kidneys caused by the colon bacillus, staphylococcus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus, and by other microorganisms. Primary, acute or chronic, and unilateral or bilateral forms of pyelonephritis are distinguished from secondary pyelonephritis, which is preceded by other diseases of the kidney and urinary tract. The morphologic changes associated with the disease take the form of clusters of cellular infiltrates. In chronic pyelonephritis, the kidney surface exhibits multiple cicatricial retractions. The cortical layer is thin and uneven.

Acute pyelonephritis often begins with fever, chills, and pain in the lumbar region. Urination is painful and frequent, and there may be headaches, nausea, and vomiting. Nitrogenous residues may increase in the blood in the early stages. The urine contains pus, red blood cells, albumin, and numerous bacteria, more than 100,000 per ml of urine. Treatment consists of antibacterial therapy with sulfanilamides, nitrofurans, and antibiotics. During the stage of fever, the intake of protein should be limited. Later the diet may be normal, with a copious intake of fluids, application of heat to the lumbar region, and antispasmodics.

The presence of chronic pyelonephritis is often revealed during urinalysis or the taking of blood pressure. The patient may complain of general weakness, headache, lack of appetite, pain in the lumbar region, and increased frequency of urination. The skin is pale and dry. The disease’s progress is bilateral. The urine’s specific gravity decreases and hypertension frequently develops, as does renal insufficiency. Diagnostic methods include urinalysis and examination of the renal functions, roentgenography, the use of radioisotopes, and occasionally biopsy of the kidneys. Treatment consists of prolonged antibacterial therapy with such drugs as nitrofurans, sulfanilamides, antibiotics, and NegGram. In the case of hypertension, hypotensive drugs are prescribed and the impaired urine flow is normalized. If such contraindications as renal insufficiency, obstruction of the urinary tract, and marked hypertension are absent, treatment in the Truskavets, Essentuki, Zheleznovodsk, or Sairme sanatoriums may be prescribed.

REFERENCES

Pytel’, A. Ia., and S. D. Goligorskii. Pielonefrit. Moscow, 1961.
Ratner, N. A. Bolezni pochek i gipertoniia, 2nd ed. Moscow, 1971.

F. M. PALEEVA

pyelonephritis

[¦pī·ə·lō·ne′frīd·əs] (medicine) The disease process resulting from the effects of infections of the parenchyma and the pelvis of the kidney. Also known as interstitial nephritis.

pyelonephritis

Pyelonephritis

Definition

Pyelonephritis is an inflammation of the kidney and upper urinary tract that usually results from noncontagious bacterial infection of the bladder (cystitis).

Description

Acute pyelonephritis is most common in adult females but can affect people of either sex and any age. Its onset is usually sudden, with symptoms that often are mistaken as the results of straining the lower back. Pyelonephritis often is complicated by systemic infection. Left untreated or unresolved, it can progress to a chronic condition that lasts for months or years, leading to scarring and possible loss of kidney function.

Causes and symptoms

The most common cause of pyelonephritis is the backward flow (reflux) of infected urine from the bladder to the upper urinary tract. Bacterial infections also may be carried to one or both kidneys through the bloodstream or lymph glands from infection that began in the bladder. Kidney infection sometimes results from urine that becomes stagnant due to obstruction of free urinary flow. A blockage or abnormality of the urinary system, such as those caused by stones, tumors, congenital deformities, or loss of bladder function from nerve disease, increases a person's risk of pyelonephritis. Other risk factors include diabetes mellitus, pregnancy, chronic bladder infections, a history of analgesic abuse, paralysis from spinal cord injury, or tumors. Catheters, tubes, or surgical procedures may also trigger a kidney infection.The bacteria most likely to cause pyelonephritis are those that normally occur in the feces. Escherichia coli causes about 85% of acute bladder and kidney infections in patients with no obstruction or history of surgical procedures. Klebsiella, Enterobacter, Proteus, or Pseudomonas are other common causes of infection. Once these organisms enter the urinary tract, they cling to the tissues that line the tract and multiply in them.Symptoms of acute pyelonephritis typically include fever and chills, burning or frequent urination, aching pain on one or both sides of the lower back or abdomen, cloudy or bloody urine, and fatigue. The patient also may have nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The flank pain may be extreme. The symptoms of chronic pyelonephritis include weakness, loss of appetite, hypertension, anemia, and protein and blood in the urine.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of pyelonephritis is based on the patient's history, a physical examination, and the results of laboratory and imaging tests. During the physical examination, the doctor will touch (palpate) the patient's abdomen carefully in order to rule out appendicitis or other causes of severe abdominal pain.

Laboratory tests

In addition to collecting urine samples for urinalysis and urine culture and sensitivity tests, the doctor will take a sample of the patient's blood for a blood cell count. If the patient has pyelonephritis, the urine tests will show the presence of white blood cells, and bacteria in the urine. Bacterial counts of 100,000 organisms or higher per milliliter of urine point to a urinary tract infection. The presence of antibodycoated bacteria (ACB) in the urine sample distinguishes kidney infection from bladder infection, because bacteria in the kidney trigger an antibody response that coats the bacteria. The blood cell count usually indicates a sharp increase in the number of white blood cells.

Imaging studies

The doctor may order ultrasound imaging of the kidney area if he or she suspects that there is an obstruction blocking the flow of urine. X rays may demonstrate scarring of the kidneys and ureters resulting from long-standing infection.

Treatment

Treatment of acute pyelonephritis may require hospitalization if the patient is severely ill or has complications. Therapy most often involves a two- to three-week course of antibiotics, with the first few days of treatment given intravenously. The choice of antibiotic is based on laboratory sensitivity studies. The antibiotics used most often include ciprofloxacin (Cipro), ampicillin (Omnipen), or trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim, Septra). Several advances in antibiotic therapy have been made in recent years. In 2003, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Cipro extended release tablets (Cipro XR) that could be taken once daily for acute uncomplicated pyelonephritis. A study in Europe also showed that a shorter course than that normally used in the United States could eradicate the bacteria that cause the disease. The primary objective of antimicrobial therapy is the permanent eradication of bacteria from the urinary tract. The early symptoms of pyelonephritis usually disappear within 48 to 72 hours of the start of antibacterial treatment. Repeat urine cultures are done in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the medication.Chronic pyelonephritis may require high doses of antibiotics for as long as six months to clear the infection. Other medications may be given to control fever, nausea, and pain. Patients are encouraged to drink extra fluid to prevent dehydration and increase urine output. Surgery sometimes is necessary if the patient has complications caused by kidney stones or other obstructions, or to eradicate infection. Urine cultures are repeated as part of the follow-up of patients with chronic pyelonephritis. These repeat tests are necessary to evaluate the possibility that the patient's urinary tract is infected with a second organism as well as to assess the patient's response to the antibiotic. Some persons are highly susceptible to reinfection, and a second antibiotic may be necessary to treat the organism.

Key terms

Bacteremia — The presence of bacteria in the bloodstream.Cystitis — Inflammation of the bladder, usually caused by bacterial infection.Reflux — The backward flow of a fluid in the body. Pyelonephritis is often associated with the reflux of urine from the bladder to the upper urinary tract.

Prognosis

The prognosis for most patients with acute pyelonephritis is quite good if the infection is caught early and treated promptly. The patient is considered cured if the urine remains sterile for a year. Untreated or recurrent kidney infection can lead to bacterial invasion of the bloodstream (bacteremia), hypertension, chronic pyelonephritis with scarring of the kidneys, and permanent kidney damage. In 2003, a report on long-term follow-up of adults with acute pyelonephritis looked at kidney scarring and resulting complications. Kidney damage that causes complications is rare after 10 to 20 years, even though many women showed renal scarring.

Prevention

Persons with a history of urinary tract infections should urinate frequently, and drink plenty of fluids at the first sign of infection. Women should void after intercourse which may help flush bacteria from the bladder. Girls should be taught to wipe their genital area from front to back after urinating to avoid getting fecal matter into the opening of the urinary tract.

Resources

Periodicals

Jancin, Bruce. "Short-course Cipro for Pyelonephritis: Unapproved Regimen Shows Promise." OB GYN News November 1, 2003: 5.Mangan, Doreen. "The FDA has Approved Ciprofloxacin Extended Release Tavlets (Cipro XR), a Once-daily Formulation, for the Treatment of Complicated Urinary Tract Infections (cUTIs) and Acute Pyelonephritis (AUP), or Kidney Infection." RN November 2003: 97.Raz, Paul, et al. "Long-term Follow-up of Women Hospitalized for Acute Pyelonephritis." Clinical Infectious Diseases (October 15, 2003):1014-1017.

Organizations

American Foundation for Urologic Disease. 1128 N. Charles St., Baltimore, MD 21201. (401) 468-1800. http://www.afud.org.

pyelonephritis

[pi″ĕ-lo-nĕ-fri´tis] inflammation of the kidney and renal pelvis; see also pyelitis and nephritis. Called also nephropyelitis.

py·e·lo·ne·phri·tis

(pī'ĕ-lō-ne-frī'tis), Inflammation of the renal parenchyma, calyces, and pelvis, particularly due to local bacterial infection. [pyelo- + G. nephros, kidney, + -itis, inflammation]

pyelonephritis

(pī′ə-lō-nĭ-frī′tĭs)n. Inflammation of the kidney and its pelvis, caused by bacterial infection.

py′e·lo·ne·phrit′ic (-frĭt′ĭk) adj.

pyelonephritis

Nephrology Infection of the kidney and ureters Types Reflux nephropathy, acute uncomplicated pyelonephritis, complicated UTI or chronic pyelonephritis Etiology UTIs, cystitis, especially with backflow of urine from the bladder into the ureters or kidney pelvis–vesicoureteric reflux Risk factors Hx of cystitis, renal papillary necrosis, kidney stones, vesicoureteric reflux or obstructive uropathy, Hx of chronic/recurrent UTIs, infection by virulent bacteria; elderly, immunosuppression–eg, AIDS, CA

py·e·lo·ne·phri·tis

(pī'ĕ-lō-nĕ-frī'tis) Inflammation of the renal parenchyma, calyces, and pelvis, particularly due to local bacterial infection. [pyelo- + G. nephros, kidney, + -itis, inflammation]

pyelonephritis

Inflammation of the pelvis and of the substance of the kidney. This is usually caused by bacterial infection spreading up from the bladder. Acute pyelonephritis causes high fever, shivering and pain in the loin. Repeated or long-term (chronic) attacks may cause permanent damage to the kidney, with high blood pressure (HYPERTENSION) and eventual kidney failure. The condition is treated with antibiotics.

pyelonephritis

py·e·lo·ne·phri·tis

pyelonephritis

py•e•lo•ne•phri•tis

pyelonephritis

pyelonephritis

pyelonephritis:

Pyelonephritis

REFERENCES

pyelonephritis

pyelonephritis

Pyelonephritis

Definition

Description

Causes and symptoms

Diagnosis

Laboratory tests

Imaging studies

Treatment

Key terms

Prognosis

Prevention

Resources

Periodicals

Organizations

pyelonephritis

py·e·lo·ne·phri·tis

pyelonephritis

pyelonephritis

py·e·lo·ne·phri·tis

pyelonephritis

pyelonephritis

Words related to pyelonephritis

noun inflammation of the kidney and its pelvis caused by bacterial infection

Related Words