Question

What is the most common cause of acute pyelonephritis resulting from an ascending infection from the lower urinary tract?

a. The kidney is scarred and fibrotic.
b. The organism is resistant to antibiotics.
c. There is a preexisting abnormality of the urinary tract.
d. The patient does not take all of the antibiotics for treatment of a UTI.

Answer 1

A preexisting abnormality of the urinary tract is the most common cause for acute pyelonephritis resulting from an ascending infection, typically involving bacteria like E. coli from the lower gastrointestinal tract.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most common cause of acute pyelonephritis resulting from an ascending infection from the lower urinary tract is c. There is a preexisting abnormality of the urinary tract. Pyelonephritis, a serious kidney infection, typically arises from bacteria that ascend from the bladder or other parts of the lower urinary tract, with the most common pathogen being E. coli. These bacteria are often introduced to the urinary tract from the lower gastrointestinal tract. For those with a preexisting urinary tract abnormality, there is an increased risk of these infections becoming established and ascending to the kidneys, leading to pyelonephritis. Diagnosis includes microscopic examination of urine, urine culture, and imaging in high-risk cases, while treatment involves broad-spectrum antibiotics.