Purple urine bag syndrome: An unusual but important manifestation of urinary tract infection. Case report and literature review

Use of Raman Spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy in a Multi-Technique Approach for Physical Characterization of Purple Urine Bag Syndrome

Purple urine bag syndrome (PUBS) is a rare condition characterized by purple discoloration of urine and urine bags. Although it is benign, it represents an alarming symptom to the patients and their relatives because of purple discoloration. We have physically characterized urine and urine bags belonging to a patient suffering from PUBS using an approach that combines Raman spectroscopy (RS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy dispersive X-ray (EDX). Five “blue” discolored bags and one sterile urine bag, representing the control, were cut into 1 cm2 square samples and analyzed by using RS and SEM + EDX technique. RS enabled us to identify the presence of indigo, a metabolite of tryptophan, while SEM analysis showed the biofilm deposit, probably due to the presence of microorganisms, and the EDX measurements exhibited the elemental composition of the bags. In particular, urine bags before and after the presence of PUBS urine showed an increase of ~32% of Cl, ~33% of O, ~667% of Ca, ~65% of Al and Mg, while C decreased by about 41%. Our results, to be taken as a proof-of-principle study, are promising for the aim to characterizing the urine bags in a flexible, inexpensive, and comprehensive manner.

Violet discoloration of urine: A case report and a literature review

BACKGROUND

Purple Urine Bag Syndrome (PUBS) is an uncommon event that can be described as purple discoloration of urine due to a series of chemical reactions induced by Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs). PUBS has been reported in the past but still remains unrecognized by healthcare givers leading to misdiagnosis and inappropriate management. We report our case alongside a literature review of previously published cases.

CASE PRESENTATION

We present the first case report of Purple Urine Bag Syndrome in Jordan of a catheterized 80-year-old wheel-chaired female with a history of type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM), stage 5 Chronic Kidney Disease (CDK), Hypertension, and ischemic stroke. Her condition was initially misdiagnosed for hematuria but later on was correctly diagnosed with PUBS. She was treated with a course of appropriate antibiotic and by changing her urinary catheter and bag. The patient returned for a follow up visit and her problem resolved with the color of her urine in the urine bag returning back to normal.

CLINICAL DISCUSSION

PUBS is an uncommon event that occurs in association with UTIs. Such cases are mostly seen in elderly catheterized patients with other risk factors.

CONCLUSION

Purple Urine Bag Syndrome can be managed by changing urinary catheter, and by the administration of appropriate antibiotics. Such event can be easily misdiagnosed thus leading to unnecessary and consuming measures. Creating a better awareness of this condition among physicians and healthcare givers is essential for better patient outcomes.

[Purple urine bag syndrome (PUBS): about two cases at the Regional University Hospital Center (CHUR) of Ouahigouya]

Phénomène rare survenant le plus souvent chez des patients âgés constipés, porteurs de sonde urinaire chronique et en alitement prolongé, le syndrome de la poche à urine violette traduit généralement une infection du tractus urinaire. Plusieurs bactéries appartenant à deux groupes à la fois (groupe transformant l'indoxyl sulfate urinaire en indoxyl et groupe susceptible d'alcaliniser les urines par la production d'uréase) seraient en cause. Nous décrivons 2 cas au Burkina Faso chez des patientes jeunes de 30 et 16 ans en encéphalopathie urémique avec syndrome infectieux sévère ayant présenté des urines troubles avec une coloration violette de la poche collectrice. Contrairement aux séries rapportées dans la littérature, nos cas sont survenus après les deuxième et quatrième jours de sondage vésical et sur des patientes jeunes sans notion de constipation. Et malgré une antibiothérapie précoce, l´évolution a été défavorable chez une patiente.