A Comparative Study of Bacterial Species Isolated from Diabetic Foot in Al-Najaf Governorate

Aqeel Jdah Fengan; Qasim Najim Abdullah

doi:10.63939/rmzawh10

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A Comparative Study of Bacterial Species Isolated from Diabetic Foot in Al-Najaf Governorate

Aqeel Jdah Fengan

Qasim Najim Abdullah

Journal of Progressive Medical Sciences, Vol. 1 No. 3 (2025): Journal of Progressive Medical Sciences
Published: 2025-11-30

Abstract

The World Health Organization defines diabetic foot as "a condition of infection, ulceration, or destruction of the deep tissues of the feet, associated with neuropathy and varying degrees of peripheral vascular disease in the lower limbs of diabetic patients." The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of microorganisms causing infections in patients diagnosed with diabetic foot who were treated at Al-Sadr Educational Hospital in Najaf Governorate during the year 2024. This study involved isolating and diagnosing the main bacterial species responsible for the contamination of diabetic foot ulcers. A total of 118 swab samples were collected from diabetic patients hospitalized at Al-Sadr Educational Hospital.

A descriptive, cross-sectional, and retrospective study was conducted from February 15 to December 15, 2024. A non-probability convenience sample was used for this study. It included 118 samples from diabetic patients reported as having diabetes. Regarding the distribution of participants by age groups, the highest results for women were in the age group 50-59 years, with 18 women, accounting for 29.50%. For men, the highest results were also in the same age group, with 17 men, accounting for 29.82%. As for the isolates, processing the isolates using a 3% potassium hydroxide solution resulted in the isolation of 87 Gram-negative isolates, constituting 73.7% of the total bacteria isolated. Additionally, 31 Gram-positive isolates were obtained, representing 26.3% of the total bacteria isolated in this study.

Regarding the sensitivity of Gram-positive bacteria to antibiotics, the highest sensitivity was observed with Vancomycin, which showed 100% sensitivity for Staphylococcus aureus. Oxacillin also recorded a high sensitivity rate of 99% for the same type. The highest resistance was seen with Erythromycin, which showed 100% resistance for Enterococcus spp. For the sensitivity of Gram-negative bacteria, the highest sensitivity was observed with Piperacillin, which showed 100% sensitivity for Staphylococcus aureus, indicating that this antibiotic is highly effective in treating infections caused by this type of bacteria. Imipenem also demonstrated good efficacy with 100% sensitivity towards Klebsiella pneumoniae. In contrast, Cefotaxime showed 0% sensitivity to Staphylococcus aureus, indicating it is completely ineffective against this type of bacteria. Similarly, Ampicillin recorded only 3.1% sensitivity for the same type.

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