The study of bacteriological profile of diabetic foot ulcer with a special reference to antibiogram in and around Patna, Bihar

Introduction: A diabetic foot infection is one of the leading causes of the hospitalisation among diabetic patients. Many studies have reported on the bacteriology of diabetic foot infections over the past 25 years but the results have been varied. Diabetic foot wounds are commonly infected, and hence infection leads to the formation of microthrombi causing further ischaemia, necrosis and progressive gangrene. Material and methods: Samples were collected from 90 cases of diabetic foot ulcer by using sterile swabs and they were processed as per the clinical and laboratory standard Institute guidelines. Results: Out of 90 cases of diabetic foot ulcer 50 cases (62. 5%) were monomicrobial and 30 cases (37.5%) were polymicrobial. In our study gram negative bacilli were isolated in preponderance than gram positive cocci. Among gram negative bacilli the commonest isolate was pseudomonas spp (36%), followed by E. coli (28%) and Staphylococcus aureus (20%). The antibiotic sensitivity pattern of the bacteria were also studied. Conclusion: This study showed raised incidence of multidrug resistance isolates from the diabetic foot ulcer cases. Hence knowledge of antibiotic sensitivity pattern is essential for determining appropriate treatment of diabetic foot ulcer.