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Pyelonephritis is an infection of the kidney and the ducts that carry urine away from the kidney (ureters).
Pyelonephritis most often occurs as a result of urinary tract infection , particularly in the presence of occasional or persistent backflow of urine from the bladder into the ureters or kidney pelvis ( vesicoureteric reflux ).
Pyelonephritis can be further classified as follows:
Although cystitis (bladder infection) is common, pyelonephritis occurs much less often. The risk is increased if there is a history of cystitis, renal papillary necrosis , kidney stones , vesicoureteric reflux, or obstructive uropathy .
The risk is also increased when there is a history of chronic or recurrent urinary tract infection and when the infection is caused by a particularly aggressive type of bacteria.
Acute pyelonephritis can be severe in the elderly and in people who are immunosuppressed (for example, those with cancer or AIDS ).
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