Next Generation DNA Sequencing of Tissues from Infected Diabetic Foot Ulcers

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Genomics
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Diabetic Foot Ulcers (DFUs) are a significant complication of diabetes, often leading to severe infections.
• Current microbiological diagnostics may not fully capture the complexity of DFU infections.
• Understanding DFU microbiome composition is crucial for effective treatment strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To profile the microbiome of infected Diabetic Foot Ulcers (DFUs) using next-generation DNA sequencing.
• To correlate DFU microbiota with clinical parameters and treatment outcomes.
• To assess the relevance of genomic analysis for directing antimicrobial therapy in DFUs.

Main Methods:

• Next-generation DNA sequencing of tissue punch biopsies from infected DFUs.
• Correlation of microbiota data with patient demographics, clinical data, and treatment outcomes.
• Recruitment of 39 patients with new Diabetic Foot Infections (DFIs) within a twelve-month period.

Main Results:

• Shorter duration DFUs (
• Longer duration DFUs (≥six weeks) presented with highly polymicrobial communities, averaging 63 bacterial species.
• Severe DFIs exhibited complex microbiomes distinct from less severe infections, with no significant difference in microbiome composition between treatment success and failure groups.

Conclusions:

• DFU duration is a key factor influencing microbiome complexity, with shorter ulcers being simpler and chronic ones more diverse.
• The microbiome of DFUs differs significantly based on infection severity.
• DFU duration may serve as a valuable indicator for guiding targeted antimicrobial therapy.