Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Intrarenal Injection of Escherichia coli in a Rat Model of Pyelonephritis
06:09

Intrarenal Injection of Escherichia coli in a Rat Model of Pyelonephritis

Published on: July 18, 2017

Urinary interleukin-8 in acute pyelonephritis of children: a before-after study

Masoumeh Mohkam1, Abdollah Karimi, Hossein Karimi

  • 1Pediatric Infectious Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University (MC), Tehran, Iran. mohkamm@yahoo.com

Iranian Journal of Kidney Diseases
|April 21, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Urinary interleukin-8 (IL-8) levels are elevated in children with pyelonephritis and increase after treatment. This suggests urinary IL-8 can help diagnose upper urinary tract infections and monitor treatment effectiveness.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Nephrology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Biomarker Research

Background:

  • Pyelonephritis is a significant upper urinary tract infection in children.
  • Assessing inflammatory markers aids in understanding infection severity and treatment response.
  • Interleukin-8 (IL-8) is a key cytokine involved in inflammatory processes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate urinary interleukin-8 (IL-8) levels in children diagnosed with pyelonephritis.
  • To determine the relationship between urinary IL-8 levels and the clinical course of pyelonephritis.
  • To assess changes in urinary IL-8 levels in response to treatment.

Main Methods:

  • A quasi-experimental before-after study involving 91 children (1-144 months) with pyelonephritis.
  • Measured urinary IL-8 to creatinine (IL-8/C) ratios before and after empirical treatment.
  • Evaluated inflammatory markers (ESR, CRP, leukocytes) and imaging (ultrasound, VCUG, renal scintigraphy).

Main Results:

  • Urinary IL-8/C levels were significantly higher post-treatment compared to pre-treatment (0.51 +/- 0.53 vs. 0.19 +/- 0.21, P < .001).
  • No significant correlation was observed between urinary IL-8 levels and leukocyturia, urine culture results, other inflammatory markers, or imaging findings.
  • Urinary IL-8 levels were notably high in children with pyelonephritis.

Conclusions:

  • Urinary IL-8 is elevated in pediatric pyelonephritis.
  • The increase in urinary IL-8 post-treatment indicates its dynamic role in infection.
  • Urinary IL-8 serves as a potential noninvasive biomarker for diagnosing upper urinary tract infections and monitoring treatment efficacy in children.
Abstract

Related Concept Videos

Acute Pyelonephritis II: Diagnostic Studies and Management01:28

Acute Pyelonephritis II: Diagnostic Studies and Management

Introduction:For diagnosing acute pyelonephritis, a comprehensive patient history is collected to identify symptoms such as dysuria, frequent or urgent urination, flank pain, or costovertebral angle (CVA) tenderness that may suggest a kidney infection.Physical ExaminationDuring the physical examination, CVA tenderness is assessed. This involves gentle percussion over the costovertebral angle, where tenderness often indicates a kidney infection.Diagnostic TestsUrinalysis: Used to identify white...
Acute Pyelonephritis I: Introduction01:27

Acute Pyelonephritis I: Introduction

Pyelonephritis is a bacterial infection that primarily affects the renal parenchyma and collecting system, including the renal pelvis, tubules, and interstitial tissue of one or both kidneys. It can be classified as either acute—a sudden, severe infection—or chronic, which refers to long-term or recurrent kidney infections.The primary cause of acute pyelonephritis (APN) is bacterial infection, with Escherichia coli accounting for approximately 70-80% of cases. Other bacteria, such as Proteus,...
Urinary Tract Infection III: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care01:30

Urinary Tract Infection III: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care

A healthcare provider can diagnose a urinary tract infection (UTI) through several methods:Medical History and Symptoms: The provider will take a detailed medical history and ask about symptoms such as frequent urination, burning sensation during urination, and lower abdominal pain.Urinalysis: A clean-catch urine sample is collected in a sterile container and tested for the presence of bacteria, white blood cells (leukocytes), nitrites, blood, and protein. The presence of leukocytes and...
Urinary Tract Infection II: Pathophysiology01:25

Urinary Tract Infection II: Pathophysiology

The pathophysiology of urinary tract infections (UTIs) encompasses several progressive stages, beginning with bacterial colonization and culminating in potential systemic complications if untreated. UTIs are primarily initiated by bacteria, such as Escherichia coli, which often originate from the gastrointestinal tract and migrate to the urinary system through the periurethral area. This migration can occur via several routes, including improper hygiene practices, sexual activity, or...
Acute Kidney Injury IV: Diagnostic Studies and Prevention01:30

Acute Kidney Injury IV: Diagnostic Studies and Prevention

Accurate diagnosis and effective prevention are critical in managing Acute Kidney Injury (AKI), which is linked to high mortality rates ranging from 10% to 80%. Timely recognition of at-risk patients and careful monitoring can significantly reduce the likelihood of kidney damage.Diagnostic Assessments:The diagnostic process starts with a comprehensive medical history to identify prerenal, intrarenal, and postrenal causes.Prerenal causes, such as dehydration, hypotension, or blood loss, should...
Imaging Studies V: Intravenous Urography and Retrograde Pyelography01:22

Imaging Studies V: Intravenous Urography and Retrograde Pyelography

IntroductionIntravenous Urography (IVU) and Retrograde Pyelography (RP) are important diagnostic imaging techniques used to evaluate the urinary system. These methods help identify structural abnormalities, obstructions, and functional issues in the kidneys, ureters, and bladder. Both procedures use iodine-based contrast media to enhance the visibility of urinary tract structures on X-ray images, though they differ in their methods and indications.1. Intravenous Urography (IVU)Intravenous...