Experimental hydronephrosis. Influence of infection on the histological picture

The present paper is concerned with a histological examination of 110 pairs of rat kidneys from an experimental investigation on unilateral hydronephrosis previously published. Urine sampled by puncture of the obstructed pelvis remained sterile in cultures from most of the cases, though in 22 of a total of 184 cases growth of bacteria occurred. Intravenous injection of E. coli resulted in substantial growth of the bacteria in similar samples. In 2 cases the untreated control kidney displayed histological evidence of infection. The histology indicated that damage to the renal parenchyma in hydronephrotic kidneys probably predisposes the kidney for hematogenous infection.