No bacteria with Diagnosed Kidney Infection

[jeepthing]

I recently went to the ER thinking I had twisted my back. Found out I had a UTI from urine dip stick. On Bactim (sp?) and five days later started running fevers, chilling, generally feeling bad. Saw DR said the urine culture was negative from the ER visit, but still showed white blood cells in dip test. I had no burning, discoloration, anything. He put me in the hospital talking kidney infection. During hospital stay they drew blood for tests and cultures, put me on IV antibiotics and then my fever spiked to 104.3. Finally broke about noon time the second day.  DR said the cultures never showed anything. Released from hospital on third day. On home IV antibotics two nights. Back to the doctor on Friday (admitted on Monday). He took the IV out, started on oral antibiotics. Still no clue as to what caused the kidney infection. Just finished up this past Monday on the Antibiotics and saw him again. Said for me to let him know if I have even a little pain.  Now I don't know if the dull ache on the same side is worth reporting or just in my head. No other symptoms.  My main question is how do you have an infection when the cultures show nothing (3 done total, one no antibiotics in system, 2 with)?  Also, should I go ahead and let him know about the aching?  It's not disabilitating, but irritating.  I have given it a week, but it is still there.

[MSKshelly]

That is very interesting... I have had that swelling issue as well. The seamstress fror the
wedding just blew it off to gaining weight, but the same area was huge but for me I looked
6mos. Pregnant.  I know the Medical Biofilms
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        by Beyer I believe explains that the host response of host response is an increase in mast cells and histamine, both of which have also been linked to many auto immune diseases and inflammation.  I wonder how much that contributes to the swelling
too??? Whatever it is I can not stand feeling like bloated whale!

Stay in touch!
Shelly

[jeepthing]

Thanks again. I did some searching online yesterday. Lots of good information out there and gave me a pretty good understanding.  Now my upper abdomin looks as if it is swollen. My husband confirmed I wasn't crazy. I almost look about 2-3 mos pregnant. I knew something wasn't right when I headed home and had to unbutton my pants in the car because they were so tight. So, I'm calling the DR this morning.

Good luck with the wedding.
Lynn

[MSKshelly]

You are not alone and unfortunately, the understanding of Biofilm infections had just recently begun to get the attention and research.  We have been fighting and studying biofilms in the industry sector for years but little has been done in the medical realm.

This week is insane for me, my son is to be married but if you will send me a message sometime after Sat. with an e-mail address I can send some research articles as well as links to research articles on biofilm infections that might help both of you!

Shelly

[jeepthing]

Thanks. I will have to look into it more. It has confused the DR and really confused and scared me.

[MSKshelly]

I have a chronic UTI that does not show on standard cultures or UA.., However if I go off the antibiotics etc. at I like you get very very sick and will even urinate blood!
This has lead me to do extensive research on culturing and biofilm infections.  Medical professionals are now learning that most bacteria do not live in single organism acute infections as often believed.  Many more difficult to treat bacteria are actually multibacteria communities that go into a low level or biofilm state, I have countless research articles on this and you can google biofilm infections and get endless info.
These bacteria do not slough off in significant enough number to show up on our standard test etc. however can make you very sick, have pain etc,  

The culturing techniques currently used by most hospital were developed my Koch over 100 years ago.  Though his techniques were a medical breakthrough allowing us to find single organism for vaccines as well as the treatment of acute infection, they have also limited our understanding of the more complex bacteria that cause infection or disease.  PCR testing is more accurate however most hospital do not have this available to them and it is limited in that you have to be testing for the bacteria your are looking for, as well as they have not developed a way to do sensitivity testing,

So not to ramble on I just want to assure you that yes you can have infection and not have it show up on standard test. Though there are some researchers and doctors doing some amazing research in this area, WE DESPERATELY NEED IMPROVED METHODS FOR IDENTIFY BACTERIA AS WELL AS BETTER UNDERSTANDING IN THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY OF THE COMPLICATE INFECTION!

Shelly