Purple urine bag syndrome: An uncommon manifestation of urinary tract infection
Golzarri, M.ía.F.; Hernaiz-Leonardo, J.C.; Díaz-González, A.; Velázquez-Acosta, C.; Vilar-Compte, D.
Gaceta Medica de Mexico 153(2): 273-275
2017
ISSN/ISBN: 0016-3813 PMID: 28474713 Document Number: 693550
A 57-year-old paraplegic male diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and complete spinal cord compression arrived at our clinic because of fever and purple discoloration of the urine. We diagnosed purple urine bag syndrome (PUBS) and treated him with oral ciprofloxacin and urinary catheter replacement. PUBS is an unusual phenomenon that occurs predominantly in bedridden patients with long-term urinary catheters, presenting as a purple discoloration of the urine bag. Its pathogenesis involves the metabolism of indoxyl sulfate by sulfatase-producing bacteria. Knowledge of this entity is important in order to avoid unnecessary diagnostic workup and treatment.