DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2014.v02i02.079

Pages: 865-869

Diabetic foot ulcer is an important complication of diabetes mellitus and improper use of topical antibiotics can lead to non healing ulcer. This study was conducted to know the clinical and sensitivity profile of diabetic foot patients. A record based study was conducted for a period of one year in patients attending the diabetic clinic of tertiary care hospital. 106 diabetic patients presenting with lower extremity infection were included in the study. Various specimens were collected for bacteriological study processed using standard microbiological procedures. The antimicrobial susceptibility pattern was studied by Kirby- Bauer disc diffusion method. A total of 136 organisms were isolated, averaging 1.36 isolate per culture positive patient. Proteus spp (18.3%) and S.aureus (18.3%) were the predominant pathogens. They were followed by E. coli (16.1%), Klebsiella spp (13.9%), Pseudomonas spp (11.7%). Polymyxin- B, meropenem, imipenem and piperacillin/tazobactam were most effective against gram negative organisms while vancomycin, linezolid and amikacin were most effective against gram positive organisms. Appropriate antibiotic therapy ia an essential part of diabetic foot management and the prevalence of MDROs was alarmingly high and patient should be given organism targeted therapy rather than empirical therapy.