Introduction

Kidney infection could be life threatening if not treated quickly. Kidney infection (medically called Pyelonephritis) is a type of urinary tract infections that often begins in bladder and then move to the kidney.

Pyelonephritis refers to the infection of the kidney parenchyma and renal pelvis, in other words it is the infection of one or both of the kidneys, it happens as a complication of an ascending urinary tract infection.

There are two types of pyelonephritis: acute and chronic.

Acute pyelonephritis

Acute pyelonephritis represents an infection of the upper urinary tract, specifically, the renal parenchyma and renal pelvis. Acute pyelonephritis is usually caused by bacteria that ascends from the bladder.

Causes of acute pyelonephritis

Gram-negative bacteria, including E. coli and Proteus, Klebsiella, Enterobacter, and Pseudomonas species, are the most common causative agents.

There are two methods by which bacteria can gain access to the kidneys:

1. From the lower urinary tract (ascending infection).
2. Through the bloodstream (hematogenous spread).

Ascending infection from the lower urinary tract is the most common route by which the bacteria reach the bladder.

Symptoms of acute pyelonephritis

Symptoms of acute pyelonephritis (kidney infection) tend to appear with an abrupt onset of shaking chills, moderate to high fever, and a constant ache in the back.

Other symptoms may include:

• Dysuria
• Frequency and urgency of urination
• There may be significant malaise
• The person usually looks and feels ill
• Pain while urination
• Nausea and vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Pyuria (also occurs in lower UTIs.)

Treatment of acute pyelonephritis

Acute pyelonephritis is usually treated with antibiotics drugs. The symptoms usually disappear within several days.

The most common medication used in acute pyelonephritis include:

• Trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole
• Amoxicillin-clavulanate
• Ciprofloxacin
• Levofloxacin

Treatment with an appropriate antimicrobial agent usually is continued for 10 to 14 days.

Chronic pyelonephritis

Chronic pyelonephritis represents a progressive process. Chronic obstructive pyelonephritis is related with frequent bouts of inflammation and scarring, which finally lead to chronic pyelonephritis. The most common cause of chronic pyelonephritis is reflux. Reflux could be unilateral including one kidney or bilateral. Chronic Pyelonephritis is the consequence of untreated acute pyelonephritis, and thus has many similar risk factors, pathogeneses, symptoms and treatment.

Chronic pyelonephritis is a significant cause of kidney failure, Severe hypertension often is a contributing factor in the progress of the disease. Pyelonephritis could be life threatening when repeated damage occurs.