Characterization of multidrug-resistant diabetic foot ulcer enterococci.

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.