pyelonephritis

noun

py·​elo·​ne·​phri·​tis ˌpī-(ə-)lō-ni-ˈfrī-təs 

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

pyelonephritic

ˌpī-(ə-)lō-ni-ˈfri-tik 

adjective

Examples of pyelonephritis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In severe cases, pyelonephritis can cause a severe reaction known as urosepsis. —Matthew Wosnitzer, Verywell Health, 28 Feb. 2025

If left untreated, a UTI can ascend into the kidneys and result in the kidney infection pyelonephritis, Kim said. —Kristen Rogers, CNN, 15 Dec. 2024

Infections: Infections that directly damage the kidneys, such as sepsis or acute pyelonephritis (bacterial infection of the kidneys), can lead to kidney failure. —Suchandrima Bhowmik, Health, 28 Sep. 2024

Kidney infection Kidney infection (or pyelonephritis) is a type of UTI that generally begins in your urethra or bladder and travels to one or both of your kidneys. —Samantha Lauriello, Health.com, 9 Sep. 2019

The least common type of UTI, a kidney infection (acute pyelonephritis), can cause flank pain, fever, chills, nausea, and vomiting. —Carolyn L. Todd, SELF, 9 Mar. 2019

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

1839, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for pyelonephritis

• diverticulitis
• epididymitis
• osteoarthritis
• periodontitis
• polymyositis
• tenosynovitis
• adenitis
• arteritis
• blepharitis
• cervicitis
• cholangitis
• choroiditis

Medical Definition

pyelonephritis

noun

py·​elo·​ne·​phri·​tis ˌpī-(ə-)lō-ni-ˈfrīt-əs 

plural pyelonephritides -ˈfrit-ə-ˌdēz 

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

pyelonephritic

-ˈfrit-ik 

adjective