Sickeningly Sweet: Infectious Complications of Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases in the United States and is associated with a high incidence of infectious complications. These complications lead to increased morbidity, mortality, and utilization of the health care system by a large subset of the worldwide population. The mechanisms contributing to infection in a person living with diabetes are complex and include underlying pathology affecting physiologic functions ranging from adaptive immunity to skin integrity. In this review, we aim to summarize what is known about these pathologies. We highlight how common infections are unique and how certain unique infections are more common in persons with diabetes. Finally, we discuss the clinical presentations and diagnostic considerations pertinent to persons with diabetes.