Capgras-like syndrome in a patient with an acute urinary tract infection

Massimo Salviati, Francesco Saverio Bersani, Francesco Macrì, Marta Fojanesi, Amedeo Minichino, Mariana Gallo, Francesco De Michele, Roberto Delle Chiaie, Massimo Biondi

Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy

Abstract: 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.

Keywords: delusional misidentification, Capgras syndrome, urinary tract infection, psychosis