Study of Co-existence of Fungal infection in Diabetic Foot ulcers in Delhi Population

Abstract

Background: Diabetic foot ulcers are common diseases in long standing type-II DM patients. Moreover in most
chronic diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) fungal infections were also observed which are difficult to diagnose in early
stages and patients end up with amputations if not treated aggressively.
Method: 50 (fifty) known type-2 DM were studied – Tissue biopsy was collected from DFU and studied
microbiologically gram stain, gram’s Iodine test were done, LQCB test was done to rule out fungal infection.
Results: 50 (Fifty) adults patients aged between 30 to 75 years having DFU were studied. Duration of DFU were 15
(30%) were 3 months to 35 (70%) from 13 months to 36 months. Duration of DM 20 (40%) were 2 years to 5 years,
30 (60%) were 6 to 10 years. HBALC – 14 (28%) was 6-7% and 36 (72%) had 8-15% RBS, 23 (46%) had 200-300, 27
(54%) had 321 to 670, 17 (54%) had grade-II DFU, 22 (44%) had grade-III DFU, 11 (22%) had grade-IV DFU. Apart
from Bacterial flora, 12 (24%) fungal infections were noted.
Conclusion: Present study signifies the need of mycological evaluation of non-healing DFU. Apart from
antibacterial therapy, foot care, introduction of anti fungal treatment helps to heal the DFU in early stages and
avoid the risk of amputation.