Investigation of the Most Common Bacterial Strains in Diabetic Foot Ulcer Patients

Abstract

Background: Diabetes has been one of the most prevalent medical illnesses, and diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) infections are the main causes of hospitalization in diabetics. The present study aimed to investigate the factors contributing to DFUs in patients referred to Taleghani Hospital in Abadan. Methods: In this study, the data of 316 diabetic patients with DFUs referred to Taleghani Hospital in Abadan from March 21, 2019, to March 19, 2020, were analyzed by SPSS version 22.0. Results: The study revealed that out of the 316 patients, 212 (67.1%) were male and 104 (32.9%) were female. Additionally, 64.3% of them had type 2 diabetes. Most of the patients had third-degree ulcers (60.4%) and 26.9% had amputations. Staphylococcus aureus (34.5%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (30.4%) were the most prevalent bacteria isolated from DFUs. The highest frequency of antibiotic resistance was reported for Cotrimoxazole (33%) and Tetracycline (28.2%). Conclusion: In conclusion, Gram-positive bacteria had a higher prevalence compared to gram-negative bacteria. It is essential to conduct periodic examinations to reduce the risk of health-threatening complications in diabetic patients.