Ascending Infection as a Mechanism in Pathogenesis of Experimental Non-Obstructive Pyelonephritis. ∗

Summary

1. When bacteriuria is induced in rats by instillation of P. vulgaris into the urinary bladder, pyelonephritis is produced consistently in the absence of demonstrable obstruction of the urinary tract. 2. Ligation and section of one ureter greatly impairs spread of bacteria to the kidney on affected side. Kidneys with ligated ureters are, however, more susceptible than unaffected kidneys to hematogenous spread of the organisms. 3. Thus, bacteriuria, as produced here, leads to ascending infection of the kidney in absence of demonstrable abnormalities of the urinary tract.