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Altmann D, Liebe J, Waibel FWA, Schöni M, Napoli F, Sydler C, Schläfli F, Ledermann L, Lipsky BA, Uçkay I. The Performance of Gram-Staining in Tailoring the Empirical Antibiotic Choice in Operated Diabetic Foot Infections. J Clin Med 2025; 14:2468. [PMID: 40217917 PMCID: PMC11989272 DOI: 10.3390/jcm14072468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2025] [Revised: 03/28/2025] [Accepted: 03/31/2025] [Indexed: 04/14/2025] Open
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Current international guidelines recommend choosing an empirical antibiotic regimen for treating diabetic foot infections (DFI) based largely on clinical severity of the infection and local microbiological epidemiology. This may lead to selecting unnecessarily broad-spectrum initial empiric antibiotic therapy. Methods: Using data from our hospital in a large Swiss city, we retrospectively analyzed the performance of the Gram-stained smears of predominantly deep surgical DFI specimens processed by our microbiology laboratory in predicting the microorganism grown on standard cultures. We excluded episodes with paucibacillary stain results, which we interpret as contamination. Results: Among 1235 operated moderates or severe DFIs, Gram-stained smear was reported in 321 (26%) of cases, and showed bacteria in 172 episodes (54%) of these. Overall, among Gram stain results with organism seen, the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive and negative predictive values of the Gram stain smear when compared with the cultures was 56%, 93%, 97%, and 38%, respectively. The accuracy was 73%. The corresponding statistical values specifically for Gram-negative bacteria were 61%, 97%, 50%, and 82%. Conclusions: The results of routine Gram stain smears of deep intraoperative DFI specimens generally lack sufficient sensitivity, and was only useful to reasonably exclude a DFI caused predominantly by Gram-negative bacteria. For Gram-stained smears results to be useful for guiding antibiotic stewardship, we need prospective trials to assess their value in different types of DFIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominique Altmann
- Technical Orthopedics and Neuro-Orthopedics Team, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, 8008 Zurich, Switzerland (F.W.A.W.)
| | - Jonas Liebe
- Technical Orthopedics and Neuro-Orthopedics Team, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, 8008 Zurich, Switzerland (F.W.A.W.)
| | - Felix W. A. Waibel
- Technical Orthopedics and Neuro-Orthopedics Team, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, 8008 Zurich, Switzerland (F.W.A.W.)
| | - Madlaina Schöni
- Technical Orthopedics and Neuro-Orthopedics Team, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, 8008 Zurich, Switzerland (F.W.A.W.)
| | - Francesca Napoli
- Technical Orthopedics and Neuro-Orthopedics Team, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, 8008 Zurich, Switzerland (F.W.A.W.)
| | - Christina Sydler
- Technical Orthopedics and Neuro-Orthopedics Team, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, 8008 Zurich, Switzerland (F.W.A.W.)
| | - Fabian Schläfli
- Technical Orthopedics and Neuro-Orthopedics Team, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, 8008 Zurich, Switzerland (F.W.A.W.)
| | - Linus Ledermann
- Technical Orthopedics and Neuro-Orthopedics Team, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, 8008 Zurich, Switzerland (F.W.A.W.)
| | - Benjamin A. Lipsky
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Ilker Uçkay
- Technical Orthopedics and Neuro-Orthopedics Team, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, 8008 Zurich, Switzerland (F.W.A.W.)
- Infectious Diseases, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, 8008 Zurich, Switzerland
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Rajab AAH, Hegazy WAH. What’s old is new again: Insights into diabetic foot microbiome. World J Diabetes 2023; 14:680-704. [PMID: 37383589 PMCID: PMC10294069 DOI: 10.4239/wjd.v14.i6.680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2022] [Revised: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Diabetes is a chronic disease that is considered one of the most stubborn global health problems that continues to defy the efforts of scientists and physicians. The prevalence of diabetes in the global population continues to grow to alarming levels year after year, causing an increase in the incidence of diabetes complications and health care costs all over the world. One major complication of diabetes is the high susceptibility to infections especially in the lower limbs due to the immunocompromised state of diabetic patients, which is considered a definitive factor in all cases. Diabetic foot infections continue to be one of the most common infections in diabetic patients that are associated with a high risk of serious complications such as bone infection, limb amputations, and life-threatening systemic infections. In this review, we discussed the circumstances associated with the high risk of infection in diabetic patients as well as some of the most commonly isolated pathogens from diabetic foot infections and the related virulence behavior. In addition, we shed light on the different treatment strategies that aim at eradicating the infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azza A H Rajab
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, Zagzig 44511, Egypt
| | - Wael A H Hegazy
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, Zagzig 44511, Egypt
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Al-Bakri AG, Bulatova NR, Younes NA, Othman G, Jaber D, Schleimer N, Kriegeskorte A, Becker K. Characterization of staphylococci sampled from diabetic foot ulcer of Jordanian patients. J Appl Microbiol 2021; 131:2552-2566. [PMID: 33813786 DOI: 10.1111/jam.15096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Revised: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
AIMS The aim of this study was to isolate and characterize staphylococcal isolates from diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) in Jordanian patients. METHODS AND RESULTS Selected aerobic pathogens recovered from DFU specimens and patients' nares with a focus on staphylococci were investigated. Antimicrobial susceptibilities and the prevalence of methicillin-resistant staphylococci (MRS) were determined. SCCmec types and toxigenic characteristics were analysed and spa typing was performed for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates. The relationship between toxigenic characteristics of MRSA and the Wagner ulcer grading system was statistically analysed. A total number of 87 DFU patients were recruited for the study. The DFU cultures were polymicrobial. Members of the genus Staphylococcus were the most common among DFU-associated isolates found in 48·3% (n = 42) of all patients enrolled. Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) comprised 63·3% of staphylococci isolated from DFUs predominated by Staphylococcus epidermidis in both DFU (7·6%) and nares (39·2%). Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from DFUs and nares in 14·2 and 9·8%, respectively, while 93 and 70% of these isolates were MRSA. Most of MRSA carried SCCmec type IV (76·2%) while SCCmec elements were non-typeable in most methicillin resistant coagulase negative staphylococci (MR-CoNS) (61·9%). The most frequent MRSA spa type was t386 (23·8%). Most MRSA and MR-CoNS exhibited resistance towards aminoglycosides, fluoroquinolones and macrolides and susceptibility towards vancomycin, mupirocin and linezolid. No association was found between the possession of pvl, tst, sea and hlg toxins and Wagner ulcer grading system (P value >0·05). CONCLUSIONS This analysis of Jordanian DFU culture demonstrated its polymicrobial nature with predominance of Staphylococcus sp. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY This study is the first of its type to assess the microbiology of DFU among Jordanian patients. The results will help in the appropriate application of antimicrobial chemotherapy in the management of DFU.
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Affiliation(s)
- A G Al-Bakri
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, School of Pharmacy, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - N R Bulatova
- Department of Biopharmaceutics and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - N A Younes
- General Surgery Department, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - G Othman
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, School of Pharmacy, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - D Jaber
- Department of Biopharmaceutics and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - N Schleimer
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - A Kriegeskorte
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - K Becker
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany.,Friedrich Loeffler-Institute of Medical Microbiology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
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King CM, Castellucci-Garza FM, Lyon L, Doyle MD, Nimick C, Williams ML. Microorganisms Associated With Osteomyelitis of the Foot and Ankle. J Foot Ankle Surg 2021; 59:491-494. [PMID: 32354506 DOI: 10.1053/j.jfas.2019.08.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2018] [Revised: 08/12/2019] [Accepted: 08/13/2019] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Osteomyelitis of the foot and ankle is a challenge to treat and creates a significant demand on both the patient and the healthcare system. The purposes of this study were to determine the microorganisms associated with foot and ankle osteomyelitis, to evaluate the change in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) between 2005 and 2010, and to determine the relationship between these infecting organisms and patient comorbidities. The medical records for 302 patients diagnosed with osteomyelitis of the foot and ankle, 151 in 2005 and 151 in 2010, were randomly selected and evaluated. The authors reviewed the demographics, comorbidities, microorganism(s) confirmed with bone biopsy and culture, location, and use of antibiotics before bone biopsy. Gram-positive bacteria were the most prevalent, composing 81.9% of the isolates in 2005 and 59.6% in 2010. Methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus was the most common in both cohorts. Conversely, the incidence of MRSA statistically decreased from 28.3% to 10.6% from 2005 to 2010 (p < .0001). Gram-negative bacteria were found in 39.5% of the 2005 isolates and 31.8% of those from 2010. Pseudomonas sp. was the most common gram-negative bacteria. Patients with peripheral vascular disease had a significantly higher incidence of gram-negative bacteria (odds ratio 2.1, 95% confidence interval, 1.3 to 3.6, p = .003). The results of this study reveal that MSSA was the most common bacteria, incidence of MRSA decreased between the 2005 to 2010, and patients with peripheral vascular disease have a significantly higher incidence of gram-negative bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christy M King
- Residency Director and Attending Staff, Kaiser San Francisco Bay Area Foot and Ankle Residency Program, Kaiser Oakland Medical Center, Oakland, CA.
| | - Francesca M Castellucci-Garza
- Attending Staff, Kaiser San Francisco Bay Area Foot and Ankle Residency Program, Kaiser Foundation Hospital, Antioch, CA
| | - Liisa Lyon
- Senior Data Consultant, The Kaiser Permanente Division of Research, Oakland, CA
| | - Matthew D Doyle
- Fellow, Silicon Valley Reconstructive Foot and Ankle Fellowship, Mountain View, CA
| | - Craig Nimick
- Attending Staff, Kaiser Redwood City, Kaiser Foundation Hospital, Redwood City, CA
| | - Mitzi L Williams
- Attending Staff, Kaiser San Francisco Bay Area Foot and Ankle Residency Program, Kaiser Oakland Medical Center, Oakland, CA
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Li XY, Qi X, Tian SH, He R, Jiang S, Li HJ. Impact of dedicated infectious disease teamwork on the treatment and prognosis of patients with diabetic foot infection. Int J Infect Dis 2020; 100:133-138. [PMID: 32916250 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2020.08.085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Revised: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 08/23/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim was to develop and evaluate the impact of a new model in which the infectious disease (ID) physician and pharmacist work together to treat diabetic foot infections (DFIs). METHODS A quasi-experimental before-after study was conducted. The medical charts of inpatients with DFI admitted between April 1, 2017 and March 31, 2018 were reviewed retrospectively (control group, n = 30). Inpatients diagnosed with DFI between April 1, 2018 and March 31, 2019 were enrolled prospectively as the intervention group and received treatment through dedicated ID teamwork (intervention group, n = 35). RESULTS The distribution of infection severity and levels of metabolic criteria were similar in the two groups. Compared with the control group, the intervention group received adequate initial empirical treatment more frequently (96.8% vs 43.5%, p < 0.001) and had a shorter median duration of fever (1 day vs 7.5 days, p < 0.001). Rates of healing and relapse within 6 months were similar in the two groups, although the intervention group showed more sites of osteomyelitis (p = 0.036) and a higher percentage of polymicrobial infections (48.6% vs 10.0%, p = 0.001). CONCLUSION The early and full participation of ID physicians and pharmacists in the treatment of DFI facilitated targeted antimicrobial treatment and improved patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang-Yan Li
- Department of Anti-infection, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Peking University First Hospital, No. 8, Xishiku Street, Xicheng District, Beijing 100034, China.
| | - Xin Qi
- Department of Plastic Surgery and Burns, Peking University First Hospital, No. 8, Xishiku Street, Xicheng District, Beijing 100034, China.
| | - Shuo-Han Tian
- Department of Pharmacy, Peking University First Hospital, No. 8, Xishiku Street, Xicheng District, Beijing 100034, China.
| | - Rui He
- Department of Plastic Surgery and Burns, Peking University First Hospital, No. 8, Xishiku Street, Xicheng District, Beijing 100034, China.
| | - Shan Jiang
- Department of Plastic Surgery and Burns, Peking University First Hospital, No. 8, Xishiku Street, Xicheng District, Beijing 100034, China.
| | - Hui-Juan Li
- Department of Plastic Surgery and Burns, Peking University First Hospital, No. 8, Xishiku Street, Xicheng District, Beijing 100034, China.
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Hinojosa CA, Boyer-Duck E, Anaya-Ayala JE, Nunez-Salgado A, Laparra-Escareno H, Torres-Machorro A, Lizola R. Impact of the bacteriology of diabetic foot ulcers in limb loss. Wound Repair Regen 2016; 24:923-927. [DOI: 10.1111/wrr.12462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2016] [Accepted: 06/27/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Carlos A. Hinojosa
- Department of Surgery, Section of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy; Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y nutrición “Salvador Zubirán,”; Mexico City Mexico
| | - Estefania Boyer-Duck
- Department of Surgery, Section of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy; Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y nutrición “Salvador Zubirán,”; Mexico City Mexico
| | - Javier E. Anaya-Ayala
- Department of Surgery, Section of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy; Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y nutrición “Salvador Zubirán,”; Mexico City Mexico
| | - Ana Nunez-Salgado
- Department of Surgery, Section of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy; Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y nutrición “Salvador Zubirán,”; Mexico City Mexico
| | - Hugo Laparra-Escareno
- Department of Surgery, Section of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy; Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y nutrición “Salvador Zubirán,”; Mexico City Mexico
| | - Adriana Torres-Machorro
- Department of Surgery, Section of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy; Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y nutrición “Salvador Zubirán,”; Mexico City Mexico
| | - Rene Lizola
- Department of Surgery, Section of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy; Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y nutrición “Salvador Zubirán,”; Mexico City Mexico
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Dunyach-Remy C, Ngba Essebe C, Sotto A, Lavigne JP. Staphylococcus aureus Toxins and Diabetic Foot Ulcers: Role in Pathogenesis and Interest in Diagnosis. Toxins (Basel) 2016; 8:toxins8070209. [PMID: 27399775 PMCID: PMC4963842 DOI: 10.3390/toxins8070209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2016] [Revised: 06/29/2016] [Accepted: 07/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Infection of foot ulcers is a common, often severe and costly complication in diabetes. Diabetic foot infections (DFI) are mainly polymicrobial, and Staphylococcus aureus is the most frequent pathogen isolated. The numerous virulence factors and toxins produced by S. aureus during an infection are well characterized. However, some particular features could be observed in DFI. The aim of this review is to describe the role of S. aureus in DFI and the implication of its toxins in the establishment of the infection. Studies on this issue have helped to distinguish two S. aureus populations in DFI: toxinogenic S. aureus strains (harboring exfoliatin-, EDIN-, PVL- or TSST-encoding genes) and non-toxinogenic strains. Toxinogenic strains are often present in infections with a more severe grade and systemic impact, whereas non-toxinogenic strains seem to remain localized in deep structures and bone involving diabetic foot osteomyelitis. Testing the virulence profile of bacteria seems to be a promising way to predict the behavior of S. aureus in the chronic wounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Dunyach-Remy
- Institut National de la Santé Et de la Recherche Médicale U1047, Université de Montpellier, UFR de Médecine, Nîmes 30908, France.
- Service de Microbiologie, Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire Carémeau, Nîmes 30029, France.
| | - Christelle Ngba Essebe
- Institut National de la Santé Et de la Recherche Médicale U1047, Université de Montpellier, UFR de Médecine, Nîmes 30908, France.
| | - Albert Sotto
- Institut National de la Santé Et de la Recherche Médicale U1047, Université de Montpellier, UFR de Médecine, Nîmes 30908, France.
- Service des Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales, Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire Carémeau, Nîmes 30029, France.
| | - Jean-Philippe Lavigne
- Institut National de la Santé Et de la Recherche Médicale U1047, Université de Montpellier, UFR de Médecine, Nîmes 30908, France.
- Service de Microbiologie, Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire Carémeau, Nîmes 30029, France.
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