Common Pathogens Isolated from Infected Diabetic Foot Ulcers at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Saudi Arabia: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the common pathogens isolated from DFI to administer appropriate antibiotic treatment, followed by surgical interventions. Methods: A retrospective study was performed on 260 patients who presented with diabetic foot at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from October 2014 to September 2020. All patients underwent swabs and tissue culture for microbiological evaluation. Patient medical records were reviewed to collect demographic and clinical data, including Glycated Hemoglobin (HgA1C), Diabetes Mellitus (DM) type, duration of diabetes, swab, tissue culture, type of surgery, and type of isolated organism. Results: Escherichia coli was the most common organism isolated from the feet of diabetic patients, followed by Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Streptococcus agalactiae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Amputations were significantly higher in patients who did not have Staphylococcus aureus or Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection, with no significant relationship between amputation and any other isolated organisms. A significant negative correlation between patient age and HgA1C level was discovered, as well as a significant positive correlation between HgA1C and the number of minor amputations. Patients with major and minor amputations had a significantly higher percentage of non-Multidrug Resistance (MDR), whereas patients with MDR had a significantly higher rate of infection with Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, or Staphylococcus aureus. Conclusion: DM is a metabolic syndrome that affects all the body systems and impacts both morbidity and mortality. The most common organism isolated from the feet of diabetic patients was Escherichia coli, followed by Staphylococcus aureus. Ulcer specimens should be collected for culture and identification of causative organisms. Preventive measures such as good glycemic control, appropriate foot care, targeted antibiotic therapy, and patient education can reduce the incidence of amputation.