Abstract

ZANETTI, M.; KU, V.; RUIZ, J.  and  GONZALEZ, E.. Purple urine bag syndrome: Case report. Cuad. med. forense [online]. 2012, vol.18, n.3-4, pp.153-156. ISSN 1988-611X.  https://dx.doi.org/10.4321/S1135-76062012000300014.

The purple urine bag syndrome is a rare entity first described in 1978. Factors related to its production are elderly female, urinary catheterization, chronic constipation, alkaline urine and high bacterial levels in urine. It occurs when the product of the amino acid tryptophan is metabolized to indoxyl sulfate. This substance due to enzymatic reactions, in presence of an alkaline urine, and according to the oxygen concentration switches to indigo (blue) and indirubin (red), which precipitate in the urine and together with synthetic materials urinary catheter, give the characteristic purple color. We present the case of a 17-year-old male, with antecedents of paraplegia secondary a firearm wound, who died at home without medical care. Due to the paraplegic condition, chronic urinary catheterization was needed. At the judicial autopsy an amazing purple color in the urine bag was observed.

Keywords : Urine bag; Urine catheterization; Urinary tract infection; Purple urine.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )