Purple urine bag: think of urinary tract infection

Abstract

Discoloration of urine can be alarming and may indicate a serious underlying pathology. However, majority is benign and occur as a result of ingestions of substances such as medications or food dye or trauma postinstrumentations. Purple discoloration of the urinary catheter bag is uncommon and is caused by urinary tract infection with certain organisms. Unfortunately, most clinicians including the frontline clinicians are not aware of this syndrome, and despite the striking features, purple urine bag discoloration may be overlooked and not be given appropriate treatment. We present a case of this rare phenomenon with urosepsis that was not diagnosed on 2 occasions when the patient presented to the accident and emergency department.