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pyelitis
(pi″ә-li´tis)
inflammation of the renal pelvis, usually caused by a bacterial infection such as with Escherichia coli, a streptococcus, or a staphylococcus. These may invade the kidney from the bloodstream or may ascend through the ureters
from a bladder infection. The ascending type of infection is more common in females than males because of the difference in
length of female and male urethras; infant girls are particularly vulnerable because of inadequate cleaning after bowel movements.
Urinary tract obstructions increase the risk of kidney infections because of interference with the normal process of washing
bacteria out with the urine. The most common symptoms of pyelitis are frequency, urgency, and other problems with urination;
urinalysis will reveal pus in the urine. If untreated, pyelitis may develop into pyelonephritis, a much more severe condition. adj., pyelit´ic., adj.
cystic pyelitis
pyelitis in which there are cysts below the surface of the mucous membranes.
Copyright 2007. An Elsevier publication. All rights reserved.
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