What causes Pyelonephritis and How Serious is It?

The pyelonephritis is said to be very serious renal disease. The well documented cause of pyelonephritis is an infection of interstitial (intertubular) tissue with pyogenic bacteria, most frequently E. coli and Staphylococci, and sometimes Proteus vulgaris and Pseudomonas pyocyaneus. In almost 66% of cases the infection could be secondary to the urinary tract infection and in 33% of cases the infection could be primary through infection of blood. The ascending infection of kidney or kidneys from the urinary tract is quite common in infants. There could be ascending infection of kidneys in pregnant women and also in women with the cancer of the cervix. In the elderly male patients, the ascending infection of kidneys is possible if their prostate is enlarged and the urethra is obstructed causing partial or full retention of urine. Irrespective of the sex of the patient, the obstruction plays a vital role in causing the infection of kidneys. It has been proved through experimental study on rabbits that the obstruction of urinary system was the main cause of renal infection and pyelonephritis. In man infection of blood may cause unilateral or bilateral pyelonephritis depending on the obstruction. The obstruction may be functional or organic. The ultrasonography or the serial radiographical study is required to rule out the obstruction.

The pyelonephritis in its chronic form is very dangerous disease. The kidney may become a bag of pus due to infection with pyogenic bacteria cited above. The condition is also called pyonephrosis. A pure hydronephrosis (nephrosis caused due to back pressure of accumulated urine) in an advanced stage may become infected. The kidneys get much enlarged due to hydronephrosis or pyelonephritis. There is possibility of complete erosion of functional architecture in side the kidney due to pyogenic infection. Pyelonephritis may also develop in a gradual manner with little frank suppuration. The early detection of disease could be better for the patient as it could be treated effectively.