In vitro activity of tigecycline against strains isolated from diabetic foot ulcers.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro activity of tigecycline and other comparator agents against bacterial strains isolated from diabetic foot infections (DFI).

PATIENTS AND METHODS: All diabetic patients hospitalized for a first episode of DFI (stage 2 to 4, according to the International Working Group of Diabetic Foot classification) were selected in Nîmes University hospital between January 2005 and June 2006. MICs were determined using custom broth microdilution panels against bacterial strains isolated from foot samples.

RESULTS: Three hundred fifteen strains were studied. Tigecycline was active against 83.7% of all the strains especially Gram-positive cocci (97.3%) in particular methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (96%), Enterobacteriaceae (88.5%) and anaerobes (100%). Exclusively Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Proteae were not covered by this antibiotic.

CONCLUSIONS: Tigecycline, a new broad spectrum antimicrobial agent, is qualified to belong to the therapeutic arsenal package of complicated skin and soft tissue infections in diabetic patients after microbial documentation.