Relationship between distribution of pathogenic micro-organism and the severity of diabetic foot ulcer infection

Abstract

Objective To explore the distribution of pathogenic micro-organisms in the diabetic patients with foot infection,and to investigate the characteristics of the pathogen distribution and its relationship with the severity of diabetic foot ulcer( DFU ).Methods Ninety diabetic foot patients with positive culture of micro-organisms were classified into Wagner 1-5 grades according to the severity of DFU,which was ranked as mild,moderate,and severe infection based on the gradient of infection.The family,genus,and strain of micro-organisms were analyzed,and associated factors were discussed in regard to the kinds and severity of DFU and infection.Results With rising Wagner's grades and aggravating infection,the bacterial floras were transformed from gram-positive cocci( 61.1％ in Wagner 1 ) to gram-negative rods( 80.0％ in Wagner 5),at the same time,composite( 10.0％ to 28.6％ ) and opportunist ( 83.3％ to 100％ ) infections were increased.Wagner's grade,severity of infection,previous treatment,patients' age,control of blood glucose,course of DFU,etc,were all related to types of infection and opportunist infection ( P＜0.05 ).Conclusions Proportion of gram-negative bacilli with opportunist composite infection seems to increase in patients with severe DFU and severe infection requiring appropriate application of antibiotics. Key words: Diabetic foot infection; Diabetic foot ulcer; Pathogenic microorganism; Opportunist; Antibiotics