title: Diabetic foot infections: the role of microbiology and antibiotic treatment.
abstract: Diabetes mellitus is a major risk factor for the development of foot infections. Among the risk factors that contribute to the development of diabetic foot infections are local neuropathy, vascular changes and depressed local host defenses. The microbiology of these infections is often complex and can be polymicrobial. Treatment of these infections depends on the severity and extent of infection. Treatment should involve a multi-disciplinary team approach involving surgeons and infectious disease specialists. The current recommendations for treatment are primarily based on expert opinion and consensus rather than clinical trials. No single agent or combination of agents has been shown to be superior to others. The aim of this review is to provide valid options of therapy, especially with regard to newer agents that are currently available for treatment of both soft tissue infections and osteomyelitis.
authors: Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC 20037, USA.
authors: Afsoon D
authors: AD
authors: Roberts
authors: Gary L
authors: GL
authors: Simon
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017719:Diabetic Foot / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects; D014946:Wound Infection / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents