Suppurative bacterial pyelonephritis as a cause of acute renal failure

Acute oliguric renal failure associated with bacterial pyelonephritis is a rarely recognized clinical entity. We report a woman with an ectopic pregnancy who developed acute renal failure requiring dialytic support. The renal biopsy revealed focal microabscess formation and leukocyte interstitial infiltration compatible with suppurative pyelonephritis. Although her renal function improved gradually with antimicrobial treatment, the process was incomplete and renal dysfunction persisted at a 10-week follow-up, suggesting permanent renal damage.