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What Causes E-coli Infection In The Foot Of A Diabetic Patient?
My aunt had her big toe amputated in October due to an abscess from diabetes. She had an infection once already. Last week when she went to foot Dr, another infection set in. The culture came back positive for E-Coli. How could she have gotten that in her foot?
Fri, 7 Apr 2017
Hello,
Thank you for your query. I understand your concerns.
Your query is understandable. E coli is normally present in the gut and does not cause any harm. But some strains of E Coli can cause intestinal and urinary tract infection.
Uncommonly E. coli can cause skin infections especially in diabetic patients. They can cause cellulitis and foot ulcers. When patient has diabetes and if it is not properly controlled, their immune system becomes weakened. These people are more susceptible for uncommon infections and also the infections take a long time to settle down.
E. coli could have colonised the foot ulcer from the her own gut, from person to person contact ( hand to mouth contact ), from contact with animals etc.
Hopefully her infection will subside as her doctors have found the causative organism.
I wish her a speedy recovery.
Regards
Dr Sunita Sayammagaru
Thank you for your query. I understand your concerns.
Your query is understandable. E coli is normally present in the gut and does not cause any harm. But some strains of E Coli can cause intestinal and urinary tract infection.
Uncommonly E. coli can cause skin infections especially in diabetic patients. They can cause cellulitis and foot ulcers. When patient has diabetes and if it is not properly controlled, their immune system becomes weakened. These people are more susceptible for uncommon infections and also the infections take a long time to settle down.
E. coli could have colonised the foot ulcer from the her own gut, from person to person contact ( hand to mouth contact ), from contact with animals etc.
Hopefully her infection will subside as her doctors have found the causative organism.
I wish her a speedy recovery.
Regards
Dr Sunita Sayammagaru
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