[Functional efficiency of the vesico-ureteral closure mechanism in female patients with recurrent urinary tract infections without reflux].

On account of different relapses of infections in 15 female patients with relapsing non-obstructive infections of the urinary tract without radiologically provable vesico-ureteral reflux altogether 183 washing out tests of the urinary bladder were performed. 83.6% of the tests resulted in a pure bacteriuria of the bladder and 14.2% in a supra-vesical participation. Of the 51 female patients 38 = 74,5% were always suffering only from bacteriurias of the bladder. In 13 patients = 25.5% we also or always found a supravesical participation. 15 female patients underwent a reflux test with technetium-levelled sulphocolloid. In no patient the tracer could be localised in the supravesical urinary tract. By reason of these results we are of the opinion that in the majority of female patients the vesico-ureteral occlusion mechanism does not allow an ascent of the germs. Therefore, the majority of patients is not imperilled by pyelonephritis. Among the female patients with relapsing non-obstructive infections of the urinary tract without radiologically provable reflux are some with marginally competent ostia. In these more or less frequently an occult reflux with ascent of the germs into the supravesical urinary tract may develop. These patients are potentially imperilled by pyelonephritis.