[Pyelonephritis]

Chronic pyelonephritis is, by definition, a chronic interestial nephritis due to immediate or late effects of bacterial infection of the renal parenchyma. The main diagnostic criterion is recurrent or permanent bacteriuria. As a rule, bacteriuria follows as a secondary symptom a primary renal disturbance such as malformations of the urinary tract, stones, gout, analgesic abuse, diabetes mellitus or pregnancy. It is most important to eradicate predisposing factors, if possible, for successful antimicrobial therapy. In some cases, permanent intensive chemotherapy might be more harmful to the patient than untreated chronic bacteriuria, in itself.