A Cross Sectional study on prevalence of fungal infections in Diabetic foot ulcer

Background: Prevalence of diabetes mellitus is being increasing globally as well in India. India has become the diabetic capital of the world. Fungal infections are often common in diabetes mellitus. Diabetic lower limb wounds account for one of the commonest forms of complications with diabetes. ese ulcerated lesions are easily susceptible to infections. Several studies have concluded the presence of varied microbial flora associated with the wounds. e mycology of the lesion is not given equal importance when compared to its bacterial aspect. Objectives: is study was done in an attempt to study the prevalence and spectrum of fungal infection in diabetic foot ulcers. Materials and Methods: is was a hospital based cross sectional study conducted over a period of 6 months. A total number of 120 patients with diabetic foot ulcers were included in this study. Patients already treated with anti-fungal therapy, chemotherapy, immunosuppressant, radiotherapy and corticosteroids were excluded. Detailed history of all patients was taken. ese patients were evaluated with reference to clinical symptomatology and biochemical profile for diabetes mellitus. Two tissue samples, which were taken from the bed of the diabetic foot ulcer from each patient, one was sent for microscopic examination and the other for culture sensitivity both bacterial and fungal. e patients were treated with regular dressing and antifungal therapy in addition to appropriate antibiotics as per bacterial culture sensitivity. Results and Observations: Out of the 120 patients, evaluated 20% had positive fungal cultures, among them most common fungal strain was C albicans and secondly was C tropicalis. Conclusion: Management of diabetic foot ulcers must include antifungal antibiotics as per fungal culture sensitivity report in addition to routine bacterial culture sensitivity and other modalities.