Diabetic infections: clinical and bacteriological study at Tikur Anbessa Specialized University Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
BACKGROUND
Infection is the most serious complication of diabetes and recognized as causing significant morbidity and mortality.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the prevalence and pattern of infection, determine the causative organisms.


METHODS
A cross sectional study involved 179 diabetic patients admitted to the Department of Internal Medicine of Tikur Anbessa Specialized University Hospital performed between Nov. 2000 - Nov 2002, clinical data were documented, a total of 114 clinical specimens (40 pus, 23 blood and 51 urine) were submitted to bacteriology laboratory for bacterial isolation and identification.


RESULTS
The mean +/- SD fasting blood sugar was 246.0 +/- 153.3 mg/dl. Fifty eight (32.4%) of patients were admitted in state of diabetic ketoacidosis. The prevalence of infection in diabetic patients was 44%. Diabetic foot infection (35%) was the commonest, followed by pulmonary tuberculosis 22%, urinary tract infection (14%), pneumonia (12.8%), skin and subcutaneous infection (12.8%). About 30% of bacterial isolates were Staphylococcus aureus followed by Klebsiella pnumeniae (23.4%), Escherichia coli (19%) and Pseduomonas spp (15%). The rest of the isolates were less frequent and ranged between 2 to 6.4%. More than one bacterial species were also isolated from 10% of the positive cultures. Main causes of deaths in hospitalized diabetic patients were cardiovascular diseases (6/15), end stage renal disease (3/15) and sepsis (2/15).


CONCLUSIONS
Infections were the leading cause of morbidity while cardiovascular diseases were the leading cause of mortality. Diabetic foot ulcers were the major cause of infection followed by tuberculosis, skin and subcutaneous infections and pneumonia. The prevalence of tuberculosis in diabetic patient is increasing; S. aureus from wound infection and E. colifrom urinary tract infection were the common pathogens.
Feleke
Yeweyenhareg
Y
Endocrinology and Metabolism Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Addis Ababa University. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Mengistu
Yohannes
Y
Enquselassie
Fikre
F
D000328:Adult; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D005002:Ethiopia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence