What Causes Kidney Infection (Pyelonephritis)?

Kidney infections and urinary tract infections can be caused by bacteria that invade urine, which is usually a sterile body fluid. Bacteria most often gain access to urine through the urethra, which can be exposed to bacteria from outside the body.

Common entrance point of bacteria entering the urinary system are the vagina, anus, and skin. Because the urethra is shorter in women, urinary tract infections are more common in women than in men.

There are several factors that can cause urinary tract infections:

• Sexual intercourse may increase the risk of urinary tract infections in women. Kidney infections can be facilitated by the introduction of bacteria from the outside (vagina) to the urinary system through the urethra.
• Pregnant women are also at high risk of urinary tract infections. This may be caused by a slower urine transit from the ureter into the bladder due to the increased pressure on the ureters of the enlarged uterus. About 10% of pregnant women may develop kidney infections and urinary tract infections during their pregnancy.
• Kidney stones are another factor that may increase the likelihood of urinary tract infections. Stones may cause partial or complete blockage of urine flow from the kidneys and ureters. This obstruction may serve as the focus of infection in the urinary tract system, leading to urinary tract infections.
• Bladder catheter (Foley catheter) is sometimes inserted into the bladder to help the flow out of the urine from the bladder. Foley catheters are used for a variety of conditions, for example, paralysis with nerve damage to the bladder causes the accumulation of urine without adequate emptying in the bladder, bladder obstruction from prostate enlargement, or untreated or hospitalized patients who can not urinate independently. This catheter can act as a vehicle for bacteria to gain access to urine in the bladder causing urinary tract infections.

In children some risk factors for urinary tract infections include unhygienic reproduction area, uncircumcised men, or structural abnormalities in the urinary system.

The most common organism causing urinary tract infections is Escherichia coli (E. coli), responsible for 80% of kidney and urinary tract infections. Other common bacteria include Klebsiella, Proteus, Pseudomonas, Enterococcus, and Staphylococcus saprophyticus.

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