[Experience with microbiological studies of the diabetic foot]

In order to determine the microbiological characteristics of diabetic foot infection, 60 diabetic patients (21 women, 39 men; age between 43 and 89 years with a duration of diabetes from 0.5 to 37 years) were investigated. Immediately after the hospitalisation specimens from infected foot lesions were taken using Port-A-Cul special transport medium. Aerobic cultures were done in all cases according to conventional methods while anaerobic cultures were carried out when clinical signs indicated to perform it. Out of 60 lesions only 2 proved to be sterile. In the remaining 58 patients a total of 138 isolates were found resulting in an average of 2.3 organisms per lesions. Only aerobic isolates were identified in 45 patients whereas anaerobic species were also found in 12 patients. Only Candida was found in 1 patient while Candida in combination with bacterial strains was observed in 3 patients. In antimicrobial susceptibility testing beta-lactamase-stable antibiotics with broad spectrum, covering enterococcus and anaerobic organisms proved to be most effective. Diabetic foot infections have a polymicrobial nature. Antibiotic treatment of infections should be based on the results of microbiological investigation of diabetic foot.