(Audio) Uronurse 143: What Causes the Purple Color in Urine Bags?

🟣 What Is Purple Urine Bag Syndrome (PUBS)?
Have you ever seen a urine bag turn purple? It’s not science fiction—it’s a real, rare phenomenon called Purple Urine Bag Syndrome (PUBS), usually seen in patients with long-term indwelling urinary catheters. This striking discoloration is caused by a biochemical reaction between specific bacteria and metabolites in the urine.

🔬 Bacteria like Providencia stuartii, Proteus mirabilis, and Klebsiella pneumoniae produce sulfatase and phosphatase enzymes. These enzymes break down indoxyl sulfate, a byproduct of dietary tryptophan, into indigo (blue) and indirubin (red)—combining to create the purple hue seen in urine bags.

📊 In this video, we’ll dive into the latest survey findings on risk factors for PUBS, including:

• Chronic constipation

• Long-term catheterization

• Alkaline urine

• Female gender and older age

💡 While PUBS is usually benign and indicates bacterial colonization (not infection), proper catheter care, addressing bowel health, and monitoring for UTIs are essential in managing and preventing complications.

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The expert's opinions in this communication are personal and not representative of any organization. They are for informational purposes only, not official guidance. Viewers are advised to use their judgment, seek additional advice, and take responsibility for any actions based on these opinions.