Definition:
Pyelonephritis is an infection of the kidney and the ureters, the ducts that carry urine away from the kidney.
Alternative Names:
Urinary tract infection - complicated; Infection - kidney; Complicated urinary tract infection; Kidney infection
Causes, incidence, and risk factors:
Pyelonephritis most often occurs as a result of urinary tract infection, particularly when there is occasional or persistent backflow of urine from the bladder into the ureters or an area called the kidney pelvis. See: Vesicoureteric reflux Pyelonephritis can be sudden (acute) or long-term (chronic). - Acute uncomplicated pyelonephritis is the sudden development of kidney inflammation.
- Chronic pyelonephritis is a long-standing infection that does not go away.
Pyelonephritis occurs much less often than a bladder infection, although a history of such an infection increases your risk. You're also at increased risk for a kidney infection if you have any of the following conditions: You are also more likely to get a kidney infection if you have a history of chronic or recurrent urinary tract infection, especially if the infection is caused by a particularly aggressive type of bacteria. Acute pyelonephritis can be severe in the elderly and in people who are immunosuppressed (for example, those with cancer or AIDS).
References:
Norrby SR. Approach to the patient with urinary tract infection. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 306 Foster RT Sr. Uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women. Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am. 2008 Jun;35(2):235-48, viii. Pohl A. Modes of administration of antibiotics for symptomatic severe urinary tract infections. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2007 Oct 17;(4):CD003237.
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