Bacteriological Profile and Spectrum of Susceptibility Pattern in Diabetic Foot Ulcer Patients at Tertiary Care Hospital, Puducherry.

Abstract

                  Diabetic foot infection is a global concern and develops in regions with improper foot care and increases the lifetime risk for developing foot ulceration. This wound infection begins superficially, but with delay in treatment and impaired body defense mechanisms, can spread to the other subcutaneous tissues and to deeper structures ultimately leading to dreaded complications such as gangrene and amputations. These infections are polymicrobial in nature.  The aim of the present study was to isolate the bacterial pathogens in patients with diabetic foot ulcers and their susceptibility pattern. In the present study 124 samples from patients with foot ulcers were obtained during the period of June 2020  to August 2020. 26 samples taken from patients with ulcers who were non-diabetic were taken as control group. Samples were processed as per CLSI guidelines. Out of 124 isolates ,74 isolates (59%) were  polymicrobial in nature and 50 isolates ( 40.5%) were Monomicrobial in nature. In our study among Gram negative pathogens Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most common (48) (38.70%), followed by Escherichia coli , Klebsiella species ,Proteus species, Acinetobacter species .  Among 85 Gram positive isolates Staphylococcus aureus was the most common isolate (38)(30.64%), followed by CONS  and Streptococcus. In the present study, all the aerobic Gram-positive organisms were 100% sensitive to Vancomycin, followed by Amoxicillin/Clavulanic Acid , ciprofloxacin and they were highly resistant to Ampicillin , Cotrimoxazole , and Gentamicin .6 MRSA strains were isolated .Gram-negative  organisms were sensitive to Gentamycin ,Imipenem ,Amikacin  and Ciprofloxacin  .6 strains were resistant to all antibiotics tested . This study directs us that proper management of diabetic foot ulcers with appropriate antibiotics for treating this infection and there  by preventing mortality rate.