Introduction:

Purple urine bag syndrome is a striking condition that rarely occurs in clinical practice. It appears in the context of urinary infections in the elderly, with multiple pathologies, with a bladder catheter and associated risk factors. It is produced by a chemical reaction between urine, the plastic material of the collection bag and sulfatase/phosphatase enzymes from bacteria that generate the characteristic purple color.

Objective:

To report a case with purple urine bag syndrome as an unusual presentation of urinary tract infection.

Clinical Case:

Female patient, 76 years old, health history, usual constipation, attended at Emergency due to loss of consciousness and right hemiparesis. Computed axial tomography of the skull was performed and a cerebrovascular disease was diagnosed. As part of the conduct, a bladder catheter was indicated and after 14 days, purple urine appeared in the collection bag. Urinary infection due to Escherichia coli was diagnosed and treated with ceftriaxone, normalizing the color of the urine on the third day of treatment, with patient favorable evolution.

Conclusions:

Although it can be easily identified and without requiring costly tests, it is a challenge for physicians who care for geriatric patients. Knowing this disorder is essential because, although rare, it may be the only manifestation of urinary infection in patients with urethral catheterization.

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