New research suggests a link between oral health and diabetic foot ulcer infections

New microbiological research undertaken by investigators from the Dublin Dental University Hospital and colleagues at St. James’s Hospital Dublin has revealed that staphylococcal bacteria in the mouth, gums and nose (oro-nasal cavity) of patients with type 2 diabetes are a likely source of infection for diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs).

Staphylococcal bacteria are commonly found in the nose and on the skin of healthy individuals and are also prevalent in the mouths and gums of patients with periodontal disease. Patients with diabetes are at high risk for periodontal disease and DFU development. Staphylococci are also the predominant cause of DFU infection, which significantly increase the risk of requiring a life-changing lower limb amputation.

In this study the research team used highly sensitive molecular typing technology including whole-genome sequencing to compare staphylococcal bacteria from the oro-nasal cavity with those recovered from DFUs. This investigation revealed that the same staphylococcal species were present at both oro-nasal and DFU sites and that Staphylococcus aureus strains from these sites were genetically identical. In combination, these research findings suggest how periodontal disease and oro-nasal carriage likely play an important role in diabetic foot health and has important implications for oro-nasal targeting infection prevention and control strategies.

The full article is available via the link below:

Comparative Microbiological and Whole-Genome Analysis of Staphylococcus aureus Populations in the Oro-Nasal Cavities, Skin and Diabetic Foot Ulcers of Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Reveals a Possible Oro-Nasal Reservoir for Ulcer Infection.

https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fmicb.2020.00748