Microbiology and severity-diabetic foot infections

(CID 2004;39:885)

• Mild (superficial ulcer, no involvement of deeper structures, surrounding erythema <2 cm, and no systemic illness): usually S. aureus or aerobic streptococci
• Moderate (ulcer with involvement of deeper structures, surrounding erythema >2 cm, or lymphangitic streaking and no systemic illness): more likely to be chronic and polymicrobial (PsA, enterococci, enteric GNR, anaerobes)
• Severe (moderate + systemic illness or metabolic instability): anaerobic streptococci, enteric GNR, PsA, Bacteroides, Clostridium