2. Acute pyelonephritis etiological factors
The main cause of acute
pyelonephritis is gram-negative
bacteria, the most common being
Escherichia coli.
Other gram-negative bacteria
include Proteus, Klebsiella, and
Enterobacter.
In most patients, the infecting
organism will come from their fecal
flora.
Bacteria can reach the kidneys in 2
ways: hematogenous spread and
through ascending infection from
the lower urinary tract.
3. Acute pyelonephritis risk factors
Any problem interrupts normal flow
of urine causes a greater risk of
acute pyelonephritis. For example,
a urinary tract that’s an unusual
size or shape is more likely to lead
to acute pyelonephritis.
Women’s urethras are much
shorter than men’s, so it’s easier
for bacteria to enter their bodies.
That makes women more prone to
kidney infections and puts them at
a higher risk of acute
pyelonephritis.
4. Acute pyelonephritis risk factors
Other people who are at increased risk
include:
anyone with chronic kidney stones or
other kidney or bladder conditions
older adults
people with suppressed immune
systems, such as people with diabetes,
HIV/AIDS, or cancer
people with vesicoureteral reflux (a
condition where small amounts of urine
back up from the bladder into the ureters
and kidneys)
people with an enlarged prostate
5. Acute pyelonephritis risk factors
Other factors that can make you
vulnerable to infection include:
catheter use
cystoscopic examination
urinary tract surgery
certain medications
nerve or spinal cord damage
