Unilateral Purple Urine Bag Syndrome in an Elderly Man with Nephrostomy

Purple urine bag syndrome, or PUBS, is a manifestation of a complicated urinary tract infection. Organisms such as Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Enterococcus can reside in urinary catheters and exhibit the purple color detected in this phenomenon. Risk factors described for this syndrome include the use of plastic urinary catheterization, the malfunctioning of the catheter, and long-term institutionalization. This disorder could be the earliest presentation of a urinary catheter flaw and requires immediate intervention and revision. In our case, a male resident of nursing home presented with urosepsis and appropriate antibiotics were initiated. Computed tomography (CT) urogram was done and showed left kidney hydronephrosis and bilateral staghorn calculi. To address the source of infection, a nephroureteral drain was placed in both kidneys. A few days after the initiation of treatment and urological intervention, urine on the left side became purple. The urologist re-evaluated the nephroureteral drainage tubes and replaced them. The purple color in the urine resolved later. In our case, PUBS was the earliest sign of urinary drainage malfunctioning and required early intervention and treatment.