organisms

Last reviewed 06/2021

E.coli accounts for 80% of cases - most are due to a specific subset of E.coli (uropathogenic strains). These strains possess specific determinants of virulence that enable them to infect the upper urinary tract of normal, healthy individuals.

• uropathogenic E.coli belong to a small number of O:K:H serotype groups. They usually produce both haemolysin and aerobactin. Usually they also have specific pyelonephritis associated pili that mediate attachment to uroepithelial cells.

• other organisms are usually associated with structural abnormality eg proteus, staphylococcus, streptococcus, klebsiella, pseudomonas

• tuberculosis classically causes a 'sterile' pyruria.