Study on Bacteriological Profile and Antibiotic Susceptibility in Diabetic Foot Infection in a Teaching Hospital, Telangana

Abstract

BACKGROUND Diabetic foot is one of the most significant complications of diabetes. Chronic infections are caused by Enterococci, various Enterobacteriaceae obligate anaerobes, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. We wanted to study bacteriological profile and antibiotic susceptibility in diabetic foot infection. METHODS A cross sectional study was done in 110 diabetic foot infection cases in the Department of Microbiology, Prathima Institute of Medical Sciences, Nagunuru, Karimnagar, Telangana. The grading of diabetic foot ulcers was done according to Wagner’s Classification system. The samples were collected from the exudates and ulcers. Gram staining was done and standard protocol for culture and sensitivity was followed for all the cases. RESULTS A total of 110 cases were studied. The patient age ranged from 35 to 75 years and the male to female ratio was 2:1. Out of 110 isolates, 72.7 % isolates were Gram negative bacilli with P. aeruginosa 31.8 % being the predominant followed by E. coli 27.2 %, K. pneumoniae 10 %, P. mirabilis 4.5 %, S. aureus 12.7 % was the predominant isolate followed by Enterococci spp 4.5 % and Coagulase negative staphylococci (CONS) 4.5 % and S. pyogenes were 5.4 %. CONCLUSIONS Both Gram positive cocci and Gram negative bacilli can cause diabetic foot infections and this study showed a preponderance of Gram negative bacilli. Early culture and sensitivity test of the bacterial isolates helps in guiding the treatment plan. KEYWORDS Bacteriological Profile, Diabetic Foot Infection