As I had mentioned before, because the kidney is that organ involved in the filtering of impurities, it seems to be the one that is most under the threat of infection. Also, you will recall from this column of April 29, that the kidney consists of (i) specialized tissue (units called nephrons) by which urine is secreted and then collected and finally discharged into (ii) a ‘basin’ called the renal (kidney) pelvis, before it is conveyed by tubes (ureters) to the bladder from which the urine is periodically discharged.
One or both kidneys may be involved with a bacterial infection. Usually, this is preceded by an infection lower in the system. For example, there may be a blockage or congenital malformation of the urinary tract. In some cases, bacteria gain entrance to the kidney via the bloodstream.
A sudden onset of acute pyelonephritis (inflammatory condition in the kidney) begins with
