Characterization of multidrug-resistant diabetic foot ulcer enterococci

Abstract

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is a highly prevalent chronic progressive disease with complications that include diabetic-foot ulcers.

Methods: Enterococci isolated from diabetic-foot infections were identified, evaluated by macro-restriction analysis, and screened for virulence traits and antimicrobial resistance.

Results: All isolates were considered multidrug-resistant, cytolysin and gelatinase producers, and the majority also demonstrated the ability to produce biofilms.

Conclusions: These results indicate the importance of enterococci in diabetic-foot infection development and persistence, especially regarding their biofilm-forming ability and resistance to clinically relevant antibiotics.

Keywords: Biofilms; Diabetic foot infections; Enterococcus; Infecciones del pie diabético; Marcadores de virulencia; Multi-drug-resistant (MDR); Multirresistencia; Virulence factors.