Renal lysozyme levels in animals developing "sterile pyelonephritis".

The induction of sterile unilateral pyelonephritis in rats with heat-killed Proteus mirabilis cells is described. The lesions were identical to those produced with viable bacteria. Lysozyme levels in both kidneys of rats developing unilateral sterile pyelonephritis underwent biphasic elevations similar to those produced with viable bacteria. In the injected kidney, the first elevation, associated with the trauma of injection, could be produced by injecting sterile saline. The second elevation was associated with the onset of chronicity in the injected kidney. The nonmanipulated, contralateral kidney showed a similar biphasic elevation, of equal duration but of greater magnitude.