Infection of the diabetic foot.

Infection may be the first manifestation of the diabetic foot or may complicate a preexisting lesion. The increased susceptibility to infections of diabetics and the particular anatomy of the foot make infections particularly severe and rapidly progressive. The etiology is generally polymicrobial and a swab for culture of microorganisms is immediately required to plan correct and adequate antibiotic therapy based on the antibiotic sensitivity test. Infections can be treated in specialized outpatient services, while hospitalization is reserved to most severe cases with systemic manifestations. These specialized centers have been shown to be the only structures able to decrease the frequency, severity and recurrence of foot infections as well as their prevention.