What condition is commonly associated with bacterial pyelonephritis?

Bacterial pyelonephritis is primarily a result of a urinary tract infection (UTI) that has ascended from the bladder to the kidneys. This condition typically occurs when bacteria, often E. coli, enter the urinary system and multiply, leading to an infection. If the UTI is not adequately treated, it can progress to pyelonephritis, which is an inflammation of the renal pelvis and kidney tissue. Therefore, urinary tract infections are commonly recognized as a precursor to bacterial pyelonephritis, making this the most relevant association.

Glomerulonephritis, chronic kidney disease, and acute kidney injury are kidney-related conditions, but they are not direct consequences of urinary tract infections in the same manner as pyelonephritis. Glomerulonephritis involves inflammation of the glomeruli, chronic kidney disease relates to long-term kidney damage, and acute kidney injury refers to a sudden decrease in kidney function, none of which specifically link to the infectious process initiated by a UTI leading to bacterial pyelonephritis.