Microbiological profile of diabetic foot ulcers and its antibiotic susceptibility pattern in a teaching hospital, Gujarat

Background: Diabetic foot lesions are a major medical, social and economic problem and are the leading cause of hospitalization for patients with diabetes worldwide. Infection sometimes leads to amputation of the infected foot if not treated promptly. The present study was conducted to isolate and identify the bacterial pathogens associated with diabetic foot ulcer and to find out its antibiotic susceptibility pattern to reduce the risk of complications. Methods: Total 100 pus samples were collected from patients having diabetic foot ulcer, during July to October 2012. Samples were processed as per standard guidelines. Results: Out of 100 pus samples, 73 (73%) yielded growth of organisms making total of 92 isolates. Out of 92 bacterial isolates, 72 were gram negative and 20 were gram positive. Pseudomonas aeruginosa 25 (27%) was most common isolate causing diabetic foot infections followed by 20 (22%) Klebsiella sp., 17 (19%) E. coli, 15 (17%) S. aureus, 6 (7%) Proteus sp. and 4(3%) Enterococci, 2 (2%) Acinetobacter sp. and 2(2%) CONS and 1(1%) Providencia. Out of 72 GNB, 50 (69.4%) were extended spectrum β lactamase (ESBL) producer. Most gram negative isolates were resistant to levofloxacin, gentamicin, ampicillin-sulbactam and gatifloxacin. All GNB were sensitive to imipenem. Out of 15 S. aureus, 9 (60%) were Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and were sensitive to vancomycin and linezolid. Conclusions: Pseudomonas sp. was the most common cause of infections. Most isolates were multi drug resistance. [Int J Basic Clin Pharmacol 2014; 3(1.000): 92-95]