Pyelonephritis is an infection of the kidneys

Written by Zhou Qi

Nephrology

Updated on September 18, 2024

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In fact, pyelonephritis is not really nephritis; it is actually a type of bacterial inflammatory infection. Bacteria can infect many parts of the body. If the urinary system is infected and it reaches the renal pelvis and calyces, it is referred to as pyelonephritis. Over 95% of pyelonephritis cases are caused by bacterial infections, and 70% are due to Escherichia coli. Generally, this bacteria enters the urinary system from the urethral opening and ascends to the renal pelvis and calyces, where it proliferates and causes an inflammatory response. The main clinical symptoms of the patient are fever and back pain, and the patient may also experience gross hematuria (visible blood in urine).

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Written by Niu Yan Lin

Nephrology

55sec

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The difference between pyelonephritis and nephritis

Pyelonephritis and nephritis are two completely different diseases. Pyelonephritis is an infectious disease caused by bacteria, viruses, mycoplasma, chlamydia, etc. Treatment generally requires the use of antibiotics. The vast majority of patients can fully recover within two weeks under the treatment of sensitive antibiotics, without any sequelae. On the other hand, nephritis is mostly an autoimmune disease, not an infectious disease caused by pathogens. Therefore, its treatment does not require the use of antibiotics. Treatment usually involves ACE inhibitors or ARB type RUSH blockers, glucocorticoids, immunosuppressants, cytotoxic drugs, etc., and the course of nephritis is relatively long, with some patients having relatively poor prognosis. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Zhou Qi

Nephrology

42sec

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What should I do if pyelonephritis recurs?

Pyelonephritis, also known as upper urinary tract infection, is an inflammatory reaction caused by bacterial infection of the urinary system. Therefore, in cases of recurrence of this condition, it is still necessary to use antibiotics for bactericidal treatment, generally requiring a full two-week course, choosing drugs with low nephrotoxicity. Additionally, it is important to investigate whether there are any complicating factors for pyelonephritis, such as the presence of diabetes, urinary system stones, tumors, or urinary tract anomalies. Identifying and addressing these complicating factors can reduce the likelihood of recurrence of pyelonephritis.

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Written by Zhou Qi

Nephrology

45sec

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How do you get pyelonephritis?

Pyelonephritis, also known as upper urinary tract infection, is an inflammatory response caused by pathogens; 95% of pyelonephritis is caused by bacterial infections. Most cases involve bacteria from the urethral opening ascending into the urinary system to reach the kidneys, where they proliferate and cause inflammatory symptoms. Normally, there are bacteria present at the human urethral opening. Under normal immune function or absence of factors like significant urinary obstruction, it is unlikely for an upward bacterial infection to occur. However, under certain conditions, this type of infection may happen, prompting an inflammatory response from the pathogens.

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Written by Zhou Qi

Nephrology

1min 7sec

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Can pyelonephritis be cured?

Whether pyelonephritis can be cured mainly depends on whether the patient has predisposing factors for urinary tract infections. These factors primarily include: Firstly, abnormalities in the anatomical structure of the urinary tract that may lead to obstruction of urine excretion, such as urological system stones, tumors, prolonged indwelling catheters, congenital abnormalities of the urinary system, and others. Additionally, there are some conditions that may lead to a decreased immune response, such as elderly individuals who are bedridden, those with diabetes, or patients using immunosuppressants. If the aforementioned factors are present, treatment of such cases of pyelonephritis might be challenging, with patients possibly experiencing recurrent episodes and potentially progressing to chronic pyelonephritis, eventually becoming difficult to cure completely. However, if none of these factors exist, the majority of cases with simple acute pyelonephritis can be cured and controlled by medication.

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Written by Zhou Qi

Nephrology

1min 10sec

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How is pyelonephritis caused?

Pyelonephritis can also be referred to as an upper urinary tract infection. It occurs when bacteria proliferate in parts of the kidney such as the renal pelvis and calyces, leading to inflammation. In most cases, these bacteria enter the urinary system retrogradely from the urethral opening and cause inflammation in areas like the renal pelvis and calyces. Normally, bacteria are already present at the urethral opening, and when the body's immune system is functioning well and the urinary system is unobstructed, it is difficult for these bacteria to enter the urinary system and cause an inflammatory response. However, in patients with weakened immune systems, such as those suffering from a cold, diabetes, or those using steroid medications, bacteria may enter the urinary system and replicate in large numbers. Additionally, if there are obstructive factors in the urinary system, such as prostate enlargement in male patients, or if the patient has urinary system stones or tumors, bacteria are more likely to cause an inflammatory response.