Bacteriological characteristics of neuropathic foot ulcers in different stages of Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Introduction: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is one of the most prevalent diseases worldwide and foot infection is one of the main complications. Objectives: Identify which substances are isolated from neuropathic foot ulcers in the different states of DM. Relate the depth of the lesion with the concomitant flora, assess the prevalence of infection according to the location in the different stages of DM and relate the location of the ulcer with the flora. Materials and methods: Data were recorded in a grid and collected from 90 clinical files subdivided into three groups, 30 related to DM with a diagnosis <10 years, 30 related to DM between 10 and19years and 30 with more than 20 years of DM. Only descriptive statistics were performed, since the number of variables was very high and the sample was subdivided, would imply loss of statistical significance. Results/ conclusions: Methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus Aureus bacteria (MSSA) were more frequent in all stages of DM evolution and Enterococcus faecalis were predominant in the stages between 10 and 19 and > 20 years of DM, on grade 2 of depth. On depth level 3, Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) and Proteus spp were relevant. The ulcers in stages <10 and between 10 and19 of DM were mainly in the plantar zone of the 1st Metatarsus (Mtt) and in the stages of> 20 they were in the plantar zone of the 5th Mtt and in the fingers. Hallux was most affected at the stage <10 years of DM.