Identification and Drug Sensitivity of Aerobic Bacterial Isolates from Diabetic Foot Ulcers of Sudanese Patients: a Cross sectional study

Abstract Background Diabetic foot ulcer infection cause great morbidity and mortality among diabetic patients and is a major cause of lower extremity amputation worldwide. This study aimed to determine the profile of aerobic bacteria and their antibiotic sensitivity patterns in diabetic foot infections (DFI) among different Wagner's grades. Methods This study was conducted during December 2017 - March 2018 in a Diabetic Center, Sudan. A total of 152 diabetic patients with different grades of foot ulcers were randomly enrolled in the study. The patients were grouped using Wagner's classification. Tissue biopsies and deep swabs were collected from the ulcers for aerobic cultures. The cultured isolates were identified using phenotypic and biochemical properties and their sensitivity to commonly used antibiotics, Colistin, Aikacin, Ciprofloxacin, Augmentin, Ceftazideme, Gentamicin, Clindamycin, Ceftriaxone Meropenum. Cotrimoxazole, Erythomycin, Oxacillin and Vancomycin. Fusidic acid, Imepenem, and Piperacillin was tested using the Kirby Bauer disk diffusion method. Results The mean age of the patients was 54.31 (SD ± 12.1) years, male to female ratio of 8: 1. The mean duration of diabetes was 14 (SD ± 8) years. The ulcers varied in duration from 1 day to 10 years. of 152 samples 181 aerobic bacteria were isolated. Cultures yielded 1-3 isolate per culture. The maximum number was isolated from grade 3 group followed by long standing ulcer LSU group 50.8% and 28% respectively. Polymicrobial infection was higher in LSU (30.4%). The isolates were mostly Gram-negative bacteria. The most frequent were proteus spp. (35.3%), S. aureus MRSA 14.4% and Coliform 12.2% respectively. The most common isolates in grade 3 were P. Mirablis, Staphylococcus and Coliform and in long standing ulcers were P. Mirablis, S. aureus MRSA and Coagulase negative staphylococcus respectively. Conclusion Gram-negative bacteria were more prevalent and the most frequent pathogens were Proteus spp. The most common polymicrobial infections were due to P. mirablis with; P. aerginosa, S. MRSA and Coliform respectively . Gram negative rods were sensitive to Amikacin, (80.6) %) while the highest sensitivity of Gram positive was to Imepnem (85%). Most of the isolates were sensitive to Meropenem. No significant relation between Wagner grades and neuropathy was detected.