title: Diabetic Foot Infections: an Update in Diagnosis and Management.
abstract: Foot infections are a common problem in patients with diabetes and a risk factor for limb amputation. They occur as a result of skin ulceration, which facilitates penetration of pathogens to deeper tissues. The diagnosis of infection is clinical. Aerobic gram-positive cocci are the most common pathogens. Ulcers which are chronic, preceded by administration of antibiotics and hospitalization or complicated by severe infection are polymicrobial. Antibiotic therapy is initially empiric based on the severity of the infection. Definitive therapy is modified according to the results of the microbiological culture and the response to empiric treatment. The optimal duration of antibiotic therapy ranges from 1-2 weeks for mild infections to 2-4 weeks and even longer for severe infections and osteomyelitis. Surgical consultation should be sought for infections complicated with abscesses, necrotizing fasciitis or osteomyelitis. With appropriate care, infection resolves in about 80-90% of non-limb threatening and in about 60% of severe infections.
authors.affiliation: First Department of Propaedeutic Internal Medicine, Laiko General Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 33 Lakonias Street, 115 27, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Pinelopi
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Grigoropoulou
authors.affiliation: First Department of Propaedeutic Internal Medicine, Laiko General Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 33 Lakonias Street, 115 27, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Ioanna
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Eleftheriadou
authors.affiliation: Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Tameside Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Ashton under Lyne, Lancashire, UK.
authors.forename: Edward B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Jude
authors.affiliation: First Department of Propaedeutic Internal Medicine, Laiko General Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 33 Lakonias Street, 115 27, Athens, Greece. ntentol@med.uoa.gr.
authors.forename: Nikolaos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tentolouris
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D001706:Biopsy; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000473:pathology; D017719:Diabetic Foot / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents
keywords: Chronic ulcers; Diabetes mellitus; Diabetic foot infections; Osteomyelitis