Abstract

Objective: In this study we aimed to determine microorganisms responsible for diabetic foot infections, and antibiotic sensitivities of these microorganisms, in order to provide data to guide the empirical antibiotic treatment

Methods: A total of 63 cases with diabetic foot infections hospitalized in our clinic between March 2010 and March 2012 were included in the study. Data on demographic features, clinical evaluation of the diabetic wound according to Wagner classification, laboratory findings, causative microorganisms, and the results of antibiotic sensitivity tests were retrospectively evaluated.

Results: Mean age of cases was 61 (43-90) years and 71.4% of the cases were male. According to Wagner classification 6.3%, 22.2%, 44.4%, 6.3% and 20.6% of the cases were Grade I, II, III, IV and V respectively. A total of 61 bacteria were isolated in 88.5% of the cases and 68.9% of them were Gram-negative and 31.1% of them were Gram-positive. The most frequent microorganism was Pseudomonas aeruginosa (19.7%) while Enterococcus spp., Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus constituted 16.4%, 14.7% and 13.1% of the isolated bacteria, respectively. Methicillin-resistance was 50% in S. aureus isolates. In Gram-positive bacteria, vancomycin, teicoplanin and linezolid resistance was not found. Gram-negative microorganisms were most susceptible to imipenem-cilastatin and amikacin.

Conclusions: Since most of our cases were in advanced stages and Pseudomonas and other Gram-negative microorganisms were the most frequent causative agents, empiric antibiotic therapy should include anti-Pseudomonas agents in diabetic foot infections in our country.