Antibiotic resistance in aerobic bacterial isolates from infected diabetic foot ulcers in North Eastern Tanzania: an urgent call to establish a hospital antimicrobial stewardship committee

Background: Diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) is among major health problems which impact the socio economic burden globally. We aimed at assessing susceptibility pattern of antimicrobials in DFU infections patients admitted surgical department Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC).Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2018 through March 2019. Pus swabs were collected on first day admission by deep wound swabbing after irrigation with normal saline solution. Kirby-Bauer method done according to Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI) guidelines.Results: Sixty diabetic ulcer had 62 bacterial isolates. Majority isolates gram negative 49/62 (79.03%). The most common isolate Escherichia coli 15/62 (24.19%) followed Pseudomonas aeruginosa 14/62 (22.58%), Proteus mirabilis 8/62 (12.9%) Staphylococcus aureus 5/62 (8.06%). Klebsiella pneumoniae, coagulase Staphylococcus, vulgaris, Streptococcus pyogenes each contributed 4/62 (6.25%) Of (79.3%) isolates, 8/49 (16.33%) mono resistant, 30/49 (61.22%) multiresistant, 11/49 (22.45%) susceptible. multi-resistant E. 12/15 (80.00%), P. 7/14 (50.00%) predominant. A total 39/62 (62.90%) poorer outcomes including loss body part. Patients infected 11/39 (28.21%) highest number removal parts 8/39 (20.51%). Gram bacteria highly susceptible amikacin 91.18%, meropenem 93.33% imipenem 95.24%. Isolates ceftriaxone 32%.Conclusions: Amikacin, can be safely used as broad-spectrum DFU. standard care remains culture sensitivity isolated microorganisms combating infections.