Culture and sensitivity pattern of aerobic bacterial isolates in diabetic foot infections during 2018–2022 in Asian countries: a literature review study

The most prevalent consequence of diabetes mellitus is diabetic foot infections (DFIs). Prior to the final treatment established by the culture findings, the early identification of infections may be used as a prescription for an empirical therapy. This study examines the microbiological profile and antimicrobial susceptibility profile of the bacteria that cause DFI. METHODS: This research aims to determine the culture and sensitivity trend of aerobic bacterial isolates of DFI in Asian nations over a 5-year period. The article was searched using PubMed and Google Scholar with the keywords ‘Diabetic Foot Infections’, ‘Antibiotic’, ‘Microbiological Profile’, and their combinations. The author uses publications from 2018 to 2022 in Indonesian and English to select the appropriate journal. RESULTS: The author identified 11 relevant articles with microbiological profiles and sensitivity patterns in DFI. A total of 3097 isolates were found in 2498 patients with DFI. Gram-negative bacteria were the leading source of infection (n=1737; 56%). Totally, 1148 (or 37%) of all isolates were aerobic Gram-positive cocci. Staphylococcus aureus was the most commonly isolated aerobe (n=608, 20%), followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n=451, 15%). Gram-positive bacteria showed good susceptibility to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, chloramphenicol, doxycycline, vancomycin, and linezolid. Gram-negative bacteria displayed excellent susceptibility to aminoglycosides, piperacillin-tazobactam, and carbapenems. CONCLUSIONS: Gram-negative microorganisms were the most prevalent cause of DFI. This study’s findings will facilitate the development of future empirical therapeutic guidelines for the treatment of DFI.