Drug Susceptibility Pattern of Bacterial Pathogens associated with Diabetic Foot Ulcers of Patients in Kano North –Western Nigeria

Abstract

Diabetic foot ulcer has become the major cause of amputation in people with diabetes. Infected foot ulcers are a cause of morbidity and hospitalization in diabetic patients. The aim of the current study was to isolate and ascertain the antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of bacterial pathogens associated with diabetic foot infection in Kano, North–West, Nigeria. Samples were collected from 100 patients with diabetic foot ulcers using sterile cotton swabs and transported to the laboratory for analysis. The male-to-female ratio was 3:1. Mono-bacterial nature of diabetic foot infection was observed in 68% of the samples, while mixed bacterial infection was observed in 21% of the samples. The study showed that Gram-negative bacteria (84%) were the most frequently isolated pathogens, with E. coli being predominant (27%), followed by Klebsiella species (21%) and Proteus species (19%). Among the Gram-positive bacteria, S. aureus (16%) was the predominant pathogen. The results also showed that most of the isolated bacteria were sensitive to Ciprofloxacin, Ofloxacin, Nitrofurantoin, and Gentamicin. However, they showed resistance to Augmentin, Cefixime, Ceftazidime, and Cefuroxime. Further studies need to be carried out to explore anaerobic pathogens related to diabetic wounds and to ascertain the causes of resistance to antibiotics for proper management of diabetic foot ulcers in the study area.