1. Pyelonephritis

2. Definition
It is Bacterial infection of the renal pelvis, tubules and interstitial tissue of one or both kidneys
Pathophysiology and aetiology
Infection usually ascends from the urethra most bacterial causes eg Ecoli
Haematogenous spread is rare eg Staph aureus
Frequently due to ureterovesical reflux

3. Other causes are : -
urinary tract obstruction by
bladder tumours
urethral strictures
benign prostatic hyperplasia
urinary stones

4. Pyelonephritis may be acute or chronic
Pathology
Kidneys enlarge
Interstitial infiltration of inflammatory cells
Abscesses on the capsule and at corticomedullary junction
Result in destruction of tubules and the glomeruli
When chronic, kidneys become scarred, contracted and nonfunctioning

5. Clinical Manifestations of acute pyelonephritis
Acutely ill
Chills
Fever
Flank pain and
Renal angle tenderness
Leukocytosis
Pyuria
Bacteriuria
In addition symptoms of lower tract involvement
Dysuria
Frequency

6. Investigations
CT scan
IVP=intra venous pyelogram
Radionucleotide imaging with gallium citrate and indium-111-labeled WBCs
Urine culture and sensitivity

7. Micturiting cystourethrogram (MCW showing bilateral VUR, grade IV on right and grade III on left-side. There is bilateral ureteral and pelvic dilation with blunting of fornices in the right kidney.
See the next picture also

8. Bilateral reflux extending into the pelvicalyceal systems of the kidney without dilatation of the calyces or ureters. (Note catheter in bladder)
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9. Medical Management
Treated as outpatients if there is no nausea, vomiting or dehydration and other signs and symptoms of sepsis
Very ill patients and all pregnant women are hospitalized at least for 2 to 3 days for parenteral therapy
2 weeks course
Bactrim
Ciprofloxacin
Gentamicin with or without amoxicillin

10. Problem
Chronic or recurring symptomless infection persisting for months or years
Another 6 weeks course if relapse
Follow up urine culture 2 weeks after completion of therapy

11. Chronic Pyelonephritis
Repeated bouts of acute pyelonephritis may lead to chronic pyelonephritis
Clinical manifestations
No symptoms of infection unless an acute exacerbation occurs
Fatigue
Head ache
Poor appetite
Polyuria
Excessive thirst
Weight loss
Progressive scarring  renal failure

12. Culture and sensitivity ESRD=end stage renal disease Hypertension
Assessment and diagnostic findings
IVP
Serum creatinine
Blood urea
Culture and sensitivity
Complications
ESRD=end stage renal disease
Hypertension
Kidney stones
Medical management
According to C&S result
Drugs carefully titrated if renal function is impaired
ESRD = end stage renal disease

13. Fluid balance – I / O chart Fluids encouraged unless contraindicated
Nursing management
Fluid balance – I / O chart
Fluids encouraged unless contraindicated
4th hourly temp
Antibiotics
Bed rest
Teach how to prevent recurrent infections : adequate fluids, emptying the bladder regularly and performing recommended perineal hygiene taking antibiotics as prescribed

14. Scarred and contorted kidneys

15. Destruction of approximately 70% of the kidney
Destruction of approximately 70% of the kidney. Numerous dilated calyces with yellow-brown calculi. The central necrotic areas are surrounded by dense fibrosis.

16. Organism causing pyelonephritis
Ascending pathway or vesicoureteric reflux
Mainly – E. coli
- Klebsiella aerogenes (causes renal stone)
Enterobacter
Pseudomonas
Enterococcus faecalis
Staphylococcus saprophyticus
b. Haematogenous pathogens
Staphylococcus aureus from infection elsewhere.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Salmonella typhi
Brucella melitensis
Candida albicans

17. Laboratory diagnosis of Pyelonephritis
A. Urine examination
a. Microscopy
Pyuria : Presence of pus cell 10 pus cells/cmm unspun urine
b. Gram stain one drop of urine
1 organism indicate 10⁵ significant bacteriuria
c. Urine biochemical test
1. nitrate reduction to Nitrate by enterobacteriaceae e.g. E. coli
2. Leukocyte esterase indicate presence of pus cells.
B. Blood Culture : As acute Pyelonephritis is most accompanied by fever and Bacterimia.
C. Radiological Studies:
These indicate Kidneys and urinary tract abnormalities in chronic Pyelonephritis

18. Treatment of Pyelonephritis by Antimicrobial agents
Most of the antibiotics used for cytitis can be used in treatment of Pyelonephritis as far as they are distributed in Blood stream examples are:
ampicillin /amoxicillin/ clavulanic acid
Cephosporins
Ciprosfloxacin
Gentamicin
Other Anti-microbial which cannot be used in treatment of Pyelonephritis include:
Nitrofurantoin
Nalidixic acid