title: [Microbiology of pressure and vascular ulcer infections].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pressure ulcer (PU) infection is a significant clinical problem in many elderly patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  To determine the microbiology of PU and vascular ulcer (VU) infections by conducting a cross-sectional study of outpatients treated in a chronic wounds unit over an 18 month period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixty six patients with PU infection and 159 patients with an infected VU were identified. The PUs were located below the knee in 36 patients (52%). Patients with pressure ulcers had a higher proportion of institutionalization, cognitive impairment, inability to walk, and sphincter incontinence. There was a greater number of infections caused by Enterobacteriaceae (52%, P=.002) and fewer S. aureus infections (24%, P<.001) in patients with a PU compared to those with those with a VU. Forty-one percent of S. aureus strains isolated in all the patients were resistant to methicillin (MRSA). The proportion of Enterobacteriaceae infections was similar in patients with infection of pelvic girdle PU and in those located below the knee.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PU patients suffer a higher rate of infection by enterobacteria. The most common pathogen in UV infections is S. aureus. The proportion of MRSA infection in patients with chronic wounds is high. The microbiology of the infection in the pelvic girdle PU is similar to those located below the knee.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro, Majadahonda, Madrid, España.
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ortiz Balbuena
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro, Majadahonda, Madrid, España.
authors.forename: Rodrigo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: García Madero
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Heridas Crónicas, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro, Majadahonda, Madrid, España.
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Segovia Gómez
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Medicina Preventiva, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro, Majadahonda, Madrid, España.
authors.forename: Miriea
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cantero Caballero
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro, Majadahonda, Madrid, España.
authors.forename: Isabel
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Sánchez Romero
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro, Majadahonda, Madrid, España. Electronic address: aramos220@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ramos Martínez
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000382:microbiology*; D014456:Ulcer / Q000382:microbiology*; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*
keywords: Aged; Anciano; Enfermedades cutáneas, infecciosa; Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus; Pressure ulcer; Skin diseases, infectious; Stahylococcus aureus resistente a meticilina; Varicose ulcer; Úlcera por presión; Úlcera venosa