Prevalence and Antibiotic Susceptibility Pattern of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa from the Foot Ulcer of Diabetic Patients in Hayatabad Medical Complex Peshawar, Pakistan

Background: Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are a major complication of diabetes mellitus, affecting 15% of diabetic patients and often leading to severe outcomes like amputation. These ulcers frequently become infected with bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which is known for its robust antibiotic resistance. Objective: To investigate the prevalence and antibiotic susceptibility patterns of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from the foot ulcers of diabetic patients in Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar. Methods: A total of 103 clinical samples from diabetic foot ulcers were collected and analyzed for the presence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa using culture techniques and biochemical tests. The antibiotic susceptibility was assessed using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method to identify effective treatments. Results: Pseudomonas aeruginosa was identified in 48 (46.60%) of the samples. High resistance was noted against amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (100%), and notable sensitivity was observed to gentamicin (79.16%) and cefoperazone-sulbactam (87.5%). The susceptibility to other tested antibiotics varied, with moderate resistance seen in agents like cefotaxime (25%) and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (33.33%). Conclusion: The study highlights a significant presence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in diabetic foot ulcers with substantial antibiotic resistance, emphasizing the need for precise susceptibility testing to guide effective treatment strategies.