pyelonephritis

py·elo·ne·phri·tis

noun \ˌpī-(ə-)lō-ni-ˈfrī-təs\

Definition of PYELONEPHRITIS

: inflammation of both the lining of the pelvis and the parenchyma of the kidney

— py·elo·ne·phrit·ic \-ˈfri-tik\ adjective

Origin of PYELONEPHRITIS

New Latin

First Known Use: 1866

py·elo·ne·phri·tis

noun \ˌpī-(ə-)lō-ni-ˈfrīt-əs\   (Medical Dictionary)

plural ; py·elo·ne·phrit·i·des \-ˈfrit-ə-ˌdēz\ (audio pronunciation)

Medical Definition of PYELONEPHRITIS

: inflammation of both the parenchyma of a kidney and the lining of its renal pelvis especially due to bacterial infection

—py·elo·ne·phrit·ic \-ˈfrit-ik\ (audio pronunciation) adjective

pyelonephritis

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Infection (usually bacterial) and inflammation of kidney tissue and the renal pelvis. Acute pyelonephritis is usually localized and may have no apparent cause. Symptoms include fever, chills, lower-back pain, and bacteria and white blood cells in the urine. Treatment with antibiotics requires one to three weeks. Scar tissue forms, but kidney function is usually not impaired. Chronic pyelonephritis results from repeated bacterial infections, which may have no symptoms but destroy more and more tissue over years. If it is diagnosed before too much function is lost, surgery may help, but uremia, severe infections, and heart and blood-vessel disorders can lead to death. Dialysis or kidney transplant sometimes prolongs life.