Emphysematous pyelonephritis is a life-threatening infectious disease of the renal parenchyma caused by gas-producing bacteria.
Up to 90% of the cases occur in patients with poorly controlled diabetes mellitus 1-2. Another risk factor is obstruction of the collective system 2.
Most common bacterial causative source is Escherichia coli, with Klebsiella pneumoniae and Proteus mirabilis representing most of the non-E. coli related cases 2.
Without proper treatment the condition usually evolves rapidly to a fulminant sepsis, with a high mortality rate.