Diabetes is now a worldwide epidemic. Diabetic foot infections
contribute significantly to the increased mortality and morbidity. In
the current clinical practice, the possibility of fungal infections; and
synergism and antagonism between microbes in diabetic foot wounds (DFWs)
is often overlooked. This book reveals that one in four patients with
DFWs would have deep seated fungal infections. The authors have
developed a new molecular based technique for early detection of fungi
from deep tissue of diabetic foot wounds. And proved that targeted
antifungal therapy accelerated wound healing almost 30 days earlier than
standard care alone in patients with fungal infections. Diabetic foot
infections require a careful attention and coordinated management of a
multidisciplinary foot-care team, which includes an infectious disease
specialist and a medical microbiologist. Reinforcing preventive
strategies and educating the diabetic patients about tight glycemic
control, appropriate footwear practice, daily self-examination of foot
and early reporting to the health professional for any untoward change
over the feet would prevent leg amputation and death.