Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis infected with the Providencia stuartii: a case report and literature review

BACKGROUND: Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis (XGP) is a rare and severe chronic inflammatory disease of the renal parenchyma, which is most commonly associated with super-infections by bacteria such as E. coli, Proteus mirabilis, and occasionally Pseudomonas species. CASE PRESENTATION: Herein, we present a rare case of a patient with XGP infected with Providencia stuartii. Initially, the patient refused nephrectomy and underwent holmium laser lithotripsy and right ureteral stenting, followed by meropenem treatment of 7 days. Relapse occurred in the third month after discharge from the hospital, due to which she underwent a radical nephrectomy. DISCUSSION: The diagnosis of XGP is confirmed by histopathology. The standard treatment for XGP is antibiotic therapy and radical nephrectomy, but partial nephrectomy may be appropriate in select cases.