title: The role of anaerobes in diabetic foot infections.
abstract: Diabetic foot infections (DFI) are a common cause of morbidity and, on occasion, even mortality. Infection can be either mono- or polymicrobial, with a wide variety of potential pathogens. Anaerobes may be involved, particularly in wounds that are deeper or more chronic, and are more frequently identified when using modern molecular techniques, such as 16s PCR and pyrosequencing. It remains unclear whether the presence of anaerobes in DFI leads to more severe manifestations, or if these organisms are largely colonizers associated with the presence of greater degrees of tissue ischemia and necrosis. Commonly used empiric antibiotic therapy for diabetic foot infections is generally broad-spectrum and usually has activity against the most frequently identified anaerobes, such as Peptostreptococcus and Bacteroides species. Adequate surgical debridement and, when needed, foot revascularization may be at least as important as the choice of antibiotic to achieve a successful treatment outcome.
authors.affiliation: Infectious Diseases Service, Geneva University Hospitals and Faculty of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland; Department of Infectious Diseases, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Australia; Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia. Electronic address: patrick.charles@austin.org.au.
authors.forename: Patrick G P
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Charles
authors.affiliation: Infectious Diseases Service, Geneva University Hospitals and Faculty of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland; Orthopaedic Surgery Service, Geneva University Hospitals and Faculty of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland; Infection Control Program, Geneva University Hospitals and Faculty of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Ilker
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Uçkay
authors.affiliation: Infectious Diseases Service, Geneva University Hospitals and Faculty of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland; Orthopaedic Surgery Service, Geneva University Hospitals and Faculty of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kressmann
authors.affiliation: Infectious Diseases Service, Geneva University Hospitals and Faculty of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland; Laboratory of Bacteriology, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Stéphane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Emonet
authors.affiliation: Infectious Diseases Service, Geneva University Hospitals and Faculty of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland; Division of Medical Sciences (Infectious Diseases), University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
authors.forename: Benjamin A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Lipsky
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001421:Bacteria, Anaerobic / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000601:surgery; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal / Q000235:genetics; D003646:Debridement; D017719:Diabetic Foot / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000235:genetics; D014946:Wound Infection / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000601:surgery
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S
keywords: Anaerobes; Bacteria; Diabetes mellitus; Diabetic foot infection; Infection; Ulcer