Diabetic foot ulcers at a tertiary care hospital: A clinico-microbiological profile

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Original Article

Author Details : Anjana Gopi, Faiza Samreen, Swati Jain

Volume : 4, Issue : 4, Year : 2017

Article Page : 403-407

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Abstract

Introduction: Diabetic foot ulcer is one of the most common complications and cause of morbidity in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). This study aims to determine the clinical and microbiological profile of diabetic foot ulcers and to determine their susceptibility pattern.
Materials and Method: The present study was conducted in the Department of Microbiology at a tertiary care centre. 150 patients with diabetic foot ulcers were included in the study over a period of two years between December 2014 to December 2016. Appropriate samples were collected and processed. Isolation and identification of bacterial and fungal cultures was done by conventional methods and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern was determined. Correlation between diabetic history, ulcer duration, grade of ulcer (assessed by Wagner scale) and rate of bacterial and fungal isolation was made. Statistical analysis was done by Chi square test, Fischer Exact test and Single proportion Z test using SPSS software.
Results: In our study, 138/150 samples were culture positive (47 polymicrobial and 91 monomicrobial). A total of 207 isolates out of 150 samples were isolated (175 bacterial and 32 fungal isolates). Pseudomonas aeruginosa 27.4 % (48/175) followed by Staphylococcus aureus 19.4 % (34/175) were most common bacterial pathogens isolated. 21.3 % (32/150) of the samples were positive for fungal growth, of which Candida albicans 25 % (08/32) was most common fungi isolated. Significant fungal isolation (p value 0.023) was made from samples showing no bacterial growth and fungal positivity was significantly (p value 0.39) associated with long standing non healing grade IV ulcers.
Conclusion: Our study stresses on the need to study the clinico- microbiological profile of diabetic foot ulcers and to determine their susceptibility pattern as prompt treatment will prevent devastating consequences such as sepsis and amputation.

Keywords: Diabetes mellitus, polymicrobial infection, diabetic foot ulcer

How to cite : Gopi A, Samreen F, Jain S, Diabetic foot ulcers at a tertiary care hospital: A clinico-microbiological profile. Indian J Microbiol Res 2017;4(4):403-407

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