Recognition of infection in the diabetic foot

Diabetic foot infection is
commonly encountered in
clinical practice usually as a
consequence of diabetic foot
ulcers (DFU) (Edmonds, 2005);
all open wounds are colonised
with bacteria normally found
on the skin surface (skin
commensals). Usually skin
commensals colonise a wound
without impacting negatively
on wound healing as the level
of bacteria present is low.
However diabetes is known
to impair the normal immune
response rendering individuals
with diabetic foot ulceration
susceptible to infection
(Falanga, 2005).