A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an inflammation of the bladder and/or kidneys, primarily caused by bacteria that ascend from the urethra into the bladder. If the bacteria remain confined to the bladder, it results in a bladder infection. Conversely, if they ascend further to the kidneys, the condition is termed pyelonephritis or kidney infection.
Understanding the infection’s mode is crucial. Factors like stasis, age, sex, and familial predispositions play a role. Pyelitis, while not always signifying a uniform pathology, often encompasses various conditions like cystitis, pyelonephritis, ureteritis, or cysto-uretero-pyelitis. It’s more appropriate to categorize these conditions based on their distinct characteristics.
Children can present with pyelonephritis without prior lower tract infection symptoms. Virulence factors in organisms causing pyelonephritis have been identified, with a small number of E. coli O serotypes being responsible for approximately 80% of cases.
Pyelitis is characterized by inflammation of the kidney’s pelvis, often caused by colon group organisms. Symptoms include fever, pallor, and the absence of other clinical indicators. The presence of bacteria and pus in urine is a significant marker.
Inflammation and its associated chemicals can lead to various health issues, such as Alzheimer’s, dementia, cancer, anxiety, depression, heart diseases, type 2 diabetes, allergies, asthma, skin conditions like acne, eczema, psoriasis, and arthritis.
Cystitis, or inflammation of the urinary bladder, often results from an infection. Its chronic form, known as interstitial cystitis, is accompanied by symptoms like bladder pressure, frequent voiding, and abdominal pain.
Acute inflammation is the body’s immediate response to injury or infection, involving white blood cells to counteract harmful substances, heal tissues, and restore balance. This process leads to symptoms like redness, pain, warmth, and swelling.
Emphysematous urinary tract infections, similar to pyelonephritis in presentation, can have more severe outcomes, including nephrectomy and death. These gas-producing infections cause rapid renal parenchyma necrosis and are often associated with bacteremia and sepsis.
Esophagitis, an inflammation of the esophagus lining, can be caused by infections from fungi, yeast, viruses, or bacteria, termed infectious esophagitis. It’s more likely in individuals with weakened immune systems.
For more detailed information, refer to the following sources:
UCSF Department of Urology
University of Nebraska Medical Center DigitalCommons@UNMC
Stanford Medicine
Harvard Health
Medical Terminology for Healthcare Professions
Harvard Health on Inflammation
Emphysematous Pyelitis
Infectious Esophagitis University of Rochester
