Fine-Needle Aspiration Microbiology Versus Wound Swab For Bacterial Isolation In Diabetic Foot Infections (DFI)

Abstract

Background & objectives:

Proper identification of the infection causing microbe in diabetic foot infections (DFIs) is essential for starting appropriate treatment.

The objectives of this study

1)To Compare fine-needle aspiration microbiology (FNAM) and wound swab as a method of sample collection in isolating microorganisms from diabetic foot ulcer.

2) To Compare the microbiological profile and sensitivity pattern of the infecting organisms.

Methods:

This study was conducted targeting all consecutive patients with DFIs with perfusion, extent, depth, infection and sensation (PEDIS) grade 2, 3, and 4 infections admitted in the department of Surgery of Trichy SRM medical college Hospital and Research centerfrom January to August 2021 (Eight months period)

A superficial wound swab and an FNAM were collected from all the Diabetic foot ulcer infection patients. These swabs are analyzed using standard microbiological techniques.

Results:

Fifty patients with DFI were included. Bacterial culture using FNAM samples yielded growth in ­­60.78 per cent samples, whereas wound swab samples yielded growth 90.19per cent cultures done.Measure of agreement between the two techniques using Kappa statistics was 0.067 (P=0.23).

Interpretation & conclusions:

In diabetic wound infections, wound swabs were sufficient to identify organisms in all grades of infection. However, in deeper infections (grade 3 and 4), FNAM would be a reliable investigation than wound swab.