[Antibody binding bacteria in the urine in chronic pyelonephritis]

Using the direct immunofluorescence technique antibody-coated bacteria were demonstrated in urine samples from 49 of 57 patients with the clinical diagnosis of chronic pyelonephritis, but were not observed in urines from 11 patients with cystitis. A correlation rate was found between the presence of antibody-coated bacteria in the urine seidment and elevated serum antibody titers in the pyelonephritis group as determined by the indirect immunofluorescence technique. Patients with elevated serum antibody titers without antibody-coated bacteria in the urine, and vice versa, were also found. Patients with cystitis did not have elevated serum antibody titers against the homologous strain isolated from the urine. The clinical diagnosis of chronic pyelonephritis could be confirmed in 86.5% of patients taking into account the presence of antibody-coated bacteria and/or elevated serum antibody titers.