Bacteriological study of pus isolates from neuropathic plantar ulcers associated with acute inflammatory phase

In this retrospective study, sensitivity of organisms cultured from ulcers of leprosy patients without and with diabetes mellitus, diabetic patients without leprosy and patients with ulcers from other causes was examined. The profile of organisms grown from these groups of patients did not differ significantly. However, there was a high prevalence of organisms like Proteus, E. coli and Enterococcus in the ulcers of leprosy patients indicating faecal contamination of the ulcers. Co-trimaxazole and tetracycline were of little value in the treatment of these ulcers. We therefore recommend that in situations where there is no culture facility, the patients be started on a course of penicillin and gentamycin. If these antibiotics fail, it would be necessary to use more advanced antibiotics like norfloxacin, amikacin and ciprofloxacin.