Xanthogranulomatous Pyelonephritis

Abstract

Nine kidneys with typical xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis (XP) involvement were investigated on the occurrence of bacteria, bacterial fragments and antigen, in light microscopy using Gram staining and immunohistochemistry, and by electron microscopy. The present study did not reveal any occurrence of bacteria, bacterial fragments or antigen. It is concluded that the xanthogranulomatous reaction in man represents a resorption phenomenon, and not an immunological reaction to bacteria or bacterial antigen.