Evaluation of aerobic bacterial etiology and antibiotic susceptibility pattern of diabetic foot infections in Rasht, the North or Iran

Abstract

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) are one of the most frequently occurred complications of patients with poor-controlled diabetes mellitus. Diabetic foot infection (DFI) is increasing as a common problem and more than half of DFUs will be eventually infected. Here, we aimed to evaluate aerobic bacterial etiology and antibiotic susceptibility pattern of DFIs. This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at Razi educational and remedial Hospital in the North of Iran. From March to August, 2020 patients who were diagnosed as diabetic foot ulcer and attended to Razi hospital included in the study. In this study samples were collected from infected areas of diabetic foot ulcers. Standard microbiological methods were used to identify the isolates. The disc diffusion method was used to determine antimicrobial susceptibility on Mueller-Hinton agar following the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) recommendations. Thirty-one patients enrolled in this study. They included 17 females (54.8%) and 14 males (45.2%). The mean age of patients was 62.8 years, ranging from 40 to 93 years old. Totally, six types of aerobic bacteria were isolated from patients. The most prevalent type was Escherichia coli (41.9%), followed by Klebsiella spp. (16.1%). The most effective antibiotic against Gram-negative bacteria were aminoglycosides. While, Staphylococcus aureus isolates mostly susceptible to tested antibiotics. Also, none of the isolated S. aureus were methicillin-resistance. The results of antimicrobial sensitivity showed that aminoglycosides might be suitable agents for empirical therapy in Iran. Regular monitoring of culture and sensitivity reports is required to select drugs for empiric treatment.