What is purple urine?

Purple urine often indicates a chronic infection, often seen in patients with prolonged urinary catheters or cystostomy tubes. Urinary tract infections lead to the presence of large amounts of bacteria. When tryptophan used in food is in the intestine, bacteria break down to form indole, which is absorbed in the intestine and forms indole sulfate in the liver. At this time, urine excretes indole sulfate, which is decomposed under the action of urine bacteria to produce indigo and indirubin. One is blue and the other is insect red. When the two are mixed, they become purple. After urination or drainage through urinary catheter or cystostomy tube, urine is purple. Urine culture and examination are needed to cultivate pathogenic bacteria, and anti-infection treatment is needed. Most pathogens are Escherichia coli, which may be related to retrograde infection caused by wearing urinary catheter for a long time. Anti-infection treatment is recommended, or catheter or suprapubic cystostomy tube can be removed as soon as possible. Purple urine can be restored to normal.