Abstract
PROSPECTIVE STUDY OF MULTIDRUG RESISTANT BACTERIA CAUSING DIABETIC FOOT ULCERS IN SOUTH INDIA

In diabetic patients, common complications faced are diabetic foot ulcers and diabetic foot infections. A significant association of multi-drug resistant organisms(MDROs) with diabetic foot infections has been reported. This was a prospective study at a tertiary care hospital. 100 patients between the above the age of 18 years, having diabetic foot ulcer, attending the surgery OPD were included. Samples of pus were collected and processed using standard techniques for culture and sensitivity. Results were compiled and statistically analyzed. Of the 100 samples processed, 82 yielded positive cultures of which 62 organisms (75.6%) were Gram negative and 20 organisms (24.4%) were Gram positive. Of these organisms, Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli were the most commonly isolated organisms (24.40% each) followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (17.07%), Citrobacter sp. (12.1%), Klebsiella oxytoca (12.1%) and Proteus sp. (9.76%). No polymicrobial infections were noted. Infection with MDROs is widespread in diabetic foot ulcers and is mostly associated with increased morbidity . There is a need for constant surveillance of resistant organisms to provide the basis for empirical antibiotic therapy and thereby reduce the risk of complications.