Abstract
Background: The identification of common pathogens and their corresponding antimicrobial susceptibility patterns is critical for the effective clinical management of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). Presenting these microbiological and demographic datasets through structured analytical tools aids clinical decision-making and helps optimize targeted healthcare interventions globally. This study aimed to isolate the highly prevalent causative bacterial pathogens involved in diabetic foot infections at the Mardan Medical Complex Teaching Hospital (MMCTH) and to map out their respective antibiotic sensitivity and resistance profiles using SPSS version 16.0.
Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional analysis was performed on a cohort of 104 patients presenting with active DFUs to the surgical department. Pus swab specimens were aseptically collected from ulcer sites for microbiological isolation, culture characterization, and phenotypic antimicrobial susceptibility testing using standard laboratory protocols.
Results: Out of the 104 clinical presentations, 81 cases (77.88%) yielded positive bacterial cultures, while 23 specimens (22.12%) demonstrated no growth. Demographic analysis revealed a higher prevalence of DFUs among male patients (57.69%) compared to female patients (42.31%). Systemic stratification indicated a massive predominance of infections among individuals with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (84%) compared to Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (16%), with the 52–62 age cohort emerging as the most heavily affected group in the study area. Staphylococcus aureus was identified as the single most dominant isolated pathogen, accounting for 46.91% of positive cultures. Vancomycin demonstrated the highest therapeutic sensitivity against Gram-positive isolates (69.23%), whereas Amikacin and Piperacillin/Tazobactam proved to be the most effective agents against the isolated Gram-negative spectrum.
Conclusion: Microbial sensitivity profiles across different classes of antibiotics in the target region remain highly variable and uneven. An unhygienic lifestyle, carelessness regarding basic foot hygiene, an absence of routine clinical follow-ups, and a general lack of awareness regarding secondary metabolic complications serve as the primary driving risk factors behind severe DFU development in this region. These findings highlight the critical need for routine culture-guided treatments to mitigate the rise of multi-drug resistant strains.