Acute Focal Bacterial Nephritis Secondary to Vesicoureteric Reflux in a Young Boy

Acute focal bacterial nephritis (AFBN), previously called acute lobar nephronia, is a rare form of interstitial bacterial nephritis in children. The majority of patients with AFBN have an underlying urinary tract abnormality. Timely initiation of appropriate antimicrobial therapy can prevent abscess formation and help avoid the need for invasive surgical procedures. Here we describe a case of a 4-year-old boy admitted for a febrile urinary tract infection (UTI). Radiological investigations led to a diagnosis of AFBN. He was later found to also have a pre-existing malformative uropathy. Timely detection and appropriate antibiotic therapy of AFBN are essential to prevent renal abscess formation. A possible diagnosis of AFBN needs to be considered in all patients being treated for febrile UTI. Detection and surgical correction of the underlying malformation are necessary to prevent further recurrences