Abstract

ASSESSMENT OF ANTIBIOTIC SENSITIVITY PATTERN IN DIABETIC FOOT ULCER PATIENTS AT A TERTIARY CARE TEACHING HOSPITAL IN KERALA

Nafssena N.*, Jomcy George, Anjana Ashokan, Rajeev P. Thomas and Dr. Ramesh P. K.

Abstract

Diabetic foot infections (DFUs) are among the most common bacterial infections encountered in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) typically begin in a wound most often a neuropathic ulceration, most commonly seen on weight bearing surfaces. Current knowledge of antimicrobial susceptibility pattern is essential for appropriate therapy. The purpose of this study was to assess the antibiotic sensitivity pattern in DFU patients and their antibiogram. A prospective observational study was conducted on clinical specimens which were taken from 110 patients with diabetic foot infections, over a six months period. The commonly isolated organisms were E.coli, S.aureus, Streptococcus, Klebsiella, Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, Citrobacter and Proteus. We analysed the trends in antibiotic susceptibility pattern in DFU using chi- square analysis. Overall the prevalence of DFU among the diabetic population for a period of 6 months is 15.9%.The highest diabetic foot infections were among patients with the age group of 41–60 years. 113 bacterial isolates were obtained from 110 specimens. Gram negative isolates were more predominant (61%); in contrast 38.9% of isolates revealed Gram positive isolates. E.coli (40.9%) was the most common pathogen followed by Staphylococcus (23.6%). The results revealed that, aminoglycoside (amikacin> gentamycin) and ciprofloxacin were the most effective antibiotics against Gram negative isolates, on the other hand; the Gram positive isolates were more susceptible toward aminoglycoside (amikacin> gentamycin) followed by linezolid. The absence of an updated antibiogram is a major contribution to the antibiotic resistance. The datas gathered will be beneficial for future determination of empirical therapy policies for the management of DFIs.

Keywords: Diabetic foot ulcer, Diabetes mellitus, Antibiotic sensitivity, Antibiogram.