Microbiology of osteomyelitis in diabetic foot infections

The objective of this report is to describe the bacterial pathogens in diabetic patients with osteomyelitis due to neuropathic foot ulcerations. The authors reviewed the records of 36 diabetic patients with osteomyelitis of the foot due to neuropathic ulceration. Intraoperative deep soft tissue and bone specimens were obtained from each patient. The mean age of patients was 56.7 years, and the mean duration of diabetes was 14.9 years. Streptococcus species (61%) and Staphylococcus aureus (47%) were the most common organisms identified. Gram-negative aerobes were found in 18 cultures (50%). Only five patients' cultures (14%) were identified with anaerobic pathogens. The average number of pathogens per patient was 2.25. The most common bacterial pathogens in bone infections in diabetics were Streptococcus species and Staphylococcus aureus. Anaerobes were uncommon.