Vol. 8, Issue 4, Part B (2022)

Abstract
In recent years, the emergence of antibiotic resistant pathogens made increasingly difficult to establish appropriate empiric antimicrobial therapy protocols for acute diabetic foot infection (DFI) treatment. Early recognition of the population at risk for multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial infection is of paramount importance in order to decrease large-spectrum antibiotic over use. This study used retrospective cohort study in a diabetic foot unit. Patients with severe diabetic foot infection were included and divided according to their infection resistance profile (susceptible vs MDR bacteria). Data regarding their co-morbidities and length of hospital stay were collected. The primary endpoint was to determine the risk factors for MDR infections and to evaluate if these were associated with an increased length of stay (LOS). A total of 112 microbial isolates were included. Predominance of Gram-positive bacteria was observed and 22.3% of isolated bacteria were MDR. Previous hospitalization was associated with a higher likelihood of MDR infection. MDR bacterial infection was also associated with an increased LOS Our study showed a high incidence of MDR bacteria in patients with a diabetic foot infection, especially in those who had a recent hospitalization. MDR infections were associated with a prolonged LOS and represent a global public health issue for which emergent measures are needed.