Nephritis and pyelonephritis are two related medical conditions that affect the kidneys. Nephritis is a kidney inflammation caused by infections of bacteria or viruses, toxins, and autoimmune or allergic reactions in the kidneys. They are considered serious and should be treated right away. There are different types of kidney inflammations, such as acute and chronic glomerulonephritis, lupus nephritis, hereditary nephritis, pyelonephritis, IgA nephropathy, and interstitial nephritis.
The key difference between nephritis and pyelonephritis is their cause. Nephritis is an inflammation of nephrons due to infection, toxins, autoimmune reaction, or allergic reaction, while pyelonephritis is a type of nephritis often caused by an E.coli bacterial infection.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Nephritis
3. What is Pyelonephritis
4. Similarities – Nephritis and Pyelonephritis
5. Nephritis vs Pyelonephritis in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Nephritis vs Pyelonephritis
7. FAQ – Nephritis and Pyelonephritis
What is Nephritis?
Nephritis is the inflammation of nephrons in the kidneys. It may involve the glomeruli, tubules, or interstitial tissue surrounding the glomeruli and tubules. Nephritis can be caused by infections, toxins, or allergic reactions, but it is most commonly caused by autoimmune disorders. The symptoms of nephritis include changes in urinating habits, swelling, especially in the hands, feet, ankles, and face, changes in urine color, foamy urine, and blood in the urine.
Figure 01: Nephritis
A doctor may detect nephritis during a physical examination, routine blood or urine test, or biopsy. Furthermore, treatment for nephritis may vary according to the cause, which includes medications that prevent the immune system from attacking the kidneys, antibiotics for infections, stop medications that cause allergic reactions, and a suitable diet that will protect kidneys, typically lowering protein, salt, and potassium.
What is Pyelonephritis?
Pyelonephritis is an inflammation of the kidney, usually due to a bacterial infection. The infection starts within the bladder and then migrates up the ureters and into the renal pelvis of the kidneys. The common symptoms of this condition include a fever greater than 102°F, pain in the abdomen, backside, or groin, burning urination, cloudy urine, blood in urine, frequent urination, and fishy-smelling urine. Moreover, bacteria like E. coli often cause pyelonephritis. However, chronic forms of this condition can be caused by UTIs, vesicoureteral reflux, or anatomical anomalies.
Figure 02: Pyelonephritis
Diagnosis of pyelonephritis is done through physical examination, urine test, CT scan, and radioactive imaging (DMSA). Furthermore, antibiotics are the first course of action against pyelonephritis. These include levofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, co-trimoxazole, and ampicillin. Recurrent kidney infections can be managed through surgery.
Similarities Between Nephritis and Pyelonephritis
- Nephritis and pyelonephritis are two related medical conditions.
- Pyelonephritis is a type of nephritis.
- Both these conditions may have similar symptoms, such as changing urinary habits, blood in the urine, etc.
- Both these conditions can be diagnosed through medical history, physical examination, and imaging tests.
Difference Between Nephritis and Pyelonephritis
Definition
- Nephritis is the inflammation of the kidneys, which may involve parts such as the glomeruli, tubules, or interstitial tissue, which is due to infections, toxins, and autoimmune or allergic reactions.
- Pyelonephritis is inflammation of the kidney, typically due to a bacterial infection.
Types
- Different types of nephritis include acute glomerulonephritis, lupus nephritis, hereditary nephritis, pyelonephritis, chronic glomerulonephritis, IgA nephropathy, and interstitial nephritis.
- Different types of pyelonephritis include acute and chronic pyelonephritis.
Symptoms
- The typical symptoms of nephritis are swelling in the parts of the body, blood in the urine, reduced frequency of urination, headaches, and drowsiness.
- The typical symptoms of pyelonephritis are fever, pain in the abdomen, back, side, or groin, burning urination, cloudy urine, blood in the urine, frequent urination, fishy-smelling urine, shaking or chills, nausea, vomiting, general aching or ill feeling, fatigue, moist skin, and mental confusion.
Diagnosis
- Nephritis can be diagnosed through physical examination, blood test, urine test, and biopsy.
- Pyelonephritis can be diagnosed through physical examination, urine culture, ultrasound, MRI, or CT scan, and voiding cystourethrogram.
Treatment
- Treatment options for nephritis include managing underlying causes, antibiotics to treat infection, limiting salt, potassium, and protein in the diet, reducing fluid intake, taking anti-inflammatory medications, taking high blood pressure medications, and dialysis.
- Treatment options for pyelonephritis include taking prescribed antibiotics trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, amoxicillin or augmentin, ceftriaxone or cephalexin, ciprofloxacin or levofloxacin and surgery for recurrent infections.
The following infographic summarizes the difference between nephritis and pyelonephritis.
Summary – Nephritis vs Pyelonephritis
Nephritis and pyelonephritis are two related medical conditions. This is because pyelonephritis is a type of nephritis. Both are due to inflammation in the kidneys. However, nephritis can be caused by infections caused by Streptococcus bacteria, vasculitis, pneumonia, hepatitis, toxins, autoimmune or allergic reactions. On the other hand, pyelonephritis most often results from E.coli bacterial infection. However, it can also be caused by bacteria such as Proteus mirabilis and Entererobacter. This is the summary of the difference between nephritis and pyelonephritis.
FAQ: Nephritis and Pyelonephritis
1. What is the main cause of nephritis?
- Nephritis can affect people of all ages. The cause differs depending on whether children or adults are affected. Nephritis can be caused by infections caused by Streptococcus bacteria, vasculitis, pneumonia, hepatitis, toxins, and autoimmune or allergic reactions.
2. Can nephritis be cured?
- It is essential to follow the doctor’s instructions carefully to prevent and limit kidney damage in nephritis. The treatment options for nephritis include taking medications like hydroxychloroquine antibiotics, limiting salt, potassium, and protein in the diet, reducing fluid intake, taking high blood pressure medication, dialysis, and transplanting.
3. What is the cause of pyelonephritis?
- The most common cause of pyelonephritis is E. coli. However, it can also be caused by Proteus mirabilis and Enterobacter.
4. Is pyelonephritis the same as UTI?
- Pyelonephritis can start from a UTI. This is because UTI may begin in the tube that carries urine from the body (urethra) or in the bladder. This infection can then travel to one or both kidneys. Ultimately, this results in pyelonephritis.
5. What is the best treatment for pyelonephritis?
- Management and treatment of pyelonephritis are done with antibiotics, analgesics, and antipyretics. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) also work well to manage both pain and fever associated with pyelonephritis.
Reference:
1. “Nephritis: Types, Causes, and Symptoms.” Medical News Today, MediLexicon International.
2. DiMaria, Christine. “Pyelonephritis: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, Pregnancy & More.” Healthline, Healthline Media.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Diffuse proliferative lupus nephritis -a- very high mag” By Nephron – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Acute pyelonephritis – 2 – very high mag” By Nephron – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
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