Purple Urine Bag Syndrome: A Case Report

Purple urine bag syndrome (PUBS) is a rare condition characterized by purple discoloration of the urinary drainage system. PUBS may be alarming for healthcare professionals and patients' relatives. PUBS is characterized by the production of indigo (blue) and indirubin (red) pigments by colonized bacteria in indwelling urinary catheters of patients. Contact of these pigments with a urinary catheter or a plastic urine bag made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) causes purple discoloration of the urine. In this case report, we aimed to present the PUBS developing in a patient who had a history of breast cancer, chronic renal failure, stroke and hypertension and a long-term indwelling urinary catheter.