Capgras-like syndrome in a patient with an acute urinary tract infection.
Delusional misidentification syndromes are a group of delusional phenomena in which patients misidentify familiar persons, objects, or themselves, believing that they have been replaced or transformed. In 25%-40% of cases, misidentification syndromes have been reported in association with organic illness. We report an acute episode of Capgras-like delusion lasting 8 days, focused on the idea that people were robots with human bodies, in association with an acute urinary infection. To our knowledge, this is the first case report associating urinary tract infection with Capgras-like syndrome. Awareness of the prevalence of delusional misidentification syndromes associated with acute medical illness should promote diligence on the part of clinicians in recognizing this disorder.
Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
Massimo
M
Salviati
Francesco Saverio
FS
Bersani
Francesco
F
Macrì
Marta
M
Fojanesi
Amedeo
A
Minichino
Mariana
M
Gallo
Francesco
F
De Michele
Roberto Delle
RD
Chiaie
Massimo
M
Biondi
Capgras syndrome; delusional misidentification; psychosis; urinary tract infection