pyonephritis

pyonephritis

A doctor points to a diagram of a kidney affected by pyonephritis.

Definition

Noun (Medical) - Suppurative inflammation of the kidney: "pyonephritis" refers to a severe bacterial infection of the kidney tissue that leads to the formation of pus, often resulting from an ascending urinary tract infection or obstruction.

Usage Examples
  • (A serious kidney infection with pus formation.)
  • (Complications of the infection.)
Advanced Usage
  • "Acute pyonephritis": a sudden, severe form of this kidney infection.

    • The emergency room admitted a case of acute pyonephritis requiring intravenous antibiotics. (A rapid-onset, serious kidney infection.)
  • "Chronic pyonephritis": a long-standing, less severe form that may cause gradual kidney damage.

    • Chronic pyonephritis often results from recurrent urinary infections. (Persistent kidney inflammation with pus.)
Variants and Related Words
  • Pyelonephritis (n): inflammation of the kidney and renal pelvis, often used interchangeably but technically broader (may include non-suppurative forms).

    • Pyelonephritis is a common complication of urinary tract infections. (Kidney inflammation, which may or may not involve pus.)
  • Nephritis (n): general term for kidney inflammation.

    • Nephritis can be caused by infection or autoimmune disease. (Inflammation of the kidney.)
Synonyms
  • Suppurative nephritis: a synonym emphasizing pus formation.
  • Kidney abscess: a localized collection of pus in the kidney, which can be a complication of pyonephritis.
Related Idioms
  • None common for this medical term.
Phrasal Verbs
  • None applicable (technical medical term).