BACTERIAL ISOLATES AND THEIR SENSITIVITY PATTERNS IN PATIENTS WITH DIABETIC FOOT ULCERS

Objective: To determine the frequency of common microorganisms (bacterial isolates) and their sensitivity and resistance patterns in patients with diabetic foot ulcers Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Medicine, Khyber Teaching Hospital Peshawar from June 2020 to June 2021.  Two hundred and thirty-eight diabetic patients with foot ulcers were included in the study. Deep wound swabs were collected and sent to the microbiology laboratory for culture and sensitivity. The sensitivity patterns of different organisms were identified. Results: One hundred and thirty-four out of 238 (56.3%) patients were male, and the remaining 104 (43.7%) were female. The mean age of the patients in our study was 57.12±9.58 (32-80) years. Cultures were positive in 216 out of 238 (91%). Gram-negative organisms were 175 (81%), while 41 (19%) were gram-positive bacteria. The common bacteria were Escherichia coli 99 (45.8%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa 49 (22.7%), Staphylococcus aureus including methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) 36 (16.6%). The most effective antibiotics against gram-negative organisms were Meropenem (Sensitivity 97%), Amikacin (96%), Piperacillin-Tazobactam (95%), and Cefoperazone-Sulbactam (94%). The most effective antibiotics against Gram-Positive organisms were Vancomycin (Sensitivity 100%), Teicoplanin (100%), and Linezolid (95%). Antibiotics with higher rates of resistance included Doxycycline (89%), Clarithromycin (80%), and Co-Trimoxazole (78.7%). Conclusion: Diabetic foot ulcers are frequently infected with a variety of organisms. Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas, and staphylococcus aureus are the primary (predominant) organisms. Meropenem, Amikacin, Cefoperazone-Sulbactam, and Piperacillin-Tazobactam Are The most effective antibiotics against Gram-Negative Bacteria, while Vancomycin, Teicoplanin, and Linezolid are effective against gram-positive bacteria. Keywords: Diabetes Mellitus, Foot Ulcer, Pus Culture, Bacteria, Antibiotic Sensitivity and Resistance