Imipenem/cilastatin treatment of lower extremity skin and soft tissue infections in diabetics.

The efficacy and safety profile of imipenem/cilastatin was investigated in 94 patients with diabetes mellitus with infections of the lower extremity. Ninety-eight percent of the pathogens were susceptible to imipenem; this was higher than to other antibiotics tested. Ninety-two percent of the patients were cured (47%) or improved (45%). Bacterial eradication was achieved for 79% of the pathogens. Adverse experiences were similar to those reported previously. Imipenem-cilastatin proved to be a very effective antibiotic with a good safety profile for use in diabetic patients with lower extremity infections.