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Acute pyelonephritis

Last reviewed: 30 Sep 2024
Last updated: 01 Oct 2024

Summary

Definition

History and exam

Key diagnostic factors

  • fever
Full details

Other diagnostic factors

  • nausea and vomiting
  • dysuria, frequency, or urgency
  • flank pain or costovertebral angle tenderness
Full details

Risk factors

  • urinary tract infection
  • diabetes mellitus
  • stress incontinence
  • foreign body in urinary tract (e.g., calculus, catheter)
  • anatomic/functional urinary abnormality
  • immunosuppressive state (e.g., HIV, transplantation, chemotherapy, corticosteroid use)
  • pregnancy
  • frequent sexual intercourse
  • mother with urinary tract infection history
  • new sex partner
  • spermicide use
  • age between 18 and 50 years
  • age >60 years
Full details

Diagnostic tests

1st tests to order

  • urinalysis
  • Gram stain
  • urine culture
  • complete blood count
  • erythrocyte sedimentation rate
  • C-reactive protein
  • blood culture
Full details

Tests to consider

  • renal ultrasound
  • contrast-enhanced spiral computed tomography
  • magnetic resonance imaging
  • procalcitonin
Full details

Emerging tests

  • interleukin
  • copeptin

Treatment algorithm

INITIAL

high index of suspicion with mild-to-moderate symptoms and uncomplicated disease

high index of suspicion with severe symptoms or complicated disease or pregnant patients

ACUTE

mild-to-moderate symptoms with uncomplicated disease

severe symptoms or complicated disease or pregnant patients

ONGOING

recurrent disease within 1 to 2 weeks

Contributors

Authors

Lynda A. Frassetto, MD

Professor of Medicine

Division of Nephrology

University of California

San Francisco

CA

Disclosures

LAF declares that she has no competing interests.

Acknowledgements

Dr Lynda A. Frassetto would like to gratefully acknowledge the assistance of Donna M. Frassetto. DMF declares that she has no competing interests.

Peer reviewers

John Lam, MD

Attending Urologist

Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center

Burbank

Assistant Clinical Professor of Urology

Department of Urology

David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA

Los Angeles

CA

Disclosures

JL declares that he has no competing interests.

Robert Mactier, MD, FRCP

Consultant Nephrologist/Lead Clinician

Renal Unit

Glasgow Royal Infirmary

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde

Glasgow

UK

Disclosures

RM declares that he has no competing interests.

  • Acute pyelonephritis images
  • Differentials

    • Chronic pyelonephritis
    • Pelvic inflammatory disease
    • Pelvic pain syndrome
    More Differentials
  • Guidelines

    • EAU guidelines on urological infections
    • EAU guidelines on urological infections
    More Guidelines
  • Patient information

    Kidney infection

    Kidney stones

    More Patient information
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