Predicting the pathogen of diabetic toe osteomyelitis by two consecutive ulcer cultures with bone contact

Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis. 2011 Feb;30(2):279-81. doi: 10.1007/s10096-010-1078-9. Epub 2010 Oct 10.

Abstract

In this study, we investigate the accuracy of two consecutive ulcer cultures with bone contact compared to bone biopsy for the diagnosis of diabetic toe osteomyelitis. The same nurse and orthopaedic surgeon obtained all samples: sample A-1: bone contact swabbing through the ulcer; sample A-2: a second culture swabbing from the bone surface within 24 h; sample B: surgical bone biopsy in the operating theatre. The kappa statistic measure between samples A-1 and A-2 (bone contact swabs) indicated 82.35% agreement. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of the two samples A compared to B were 96%, 79%, 92% and 88%, respectively, for the causative pathogen. These results were similar with prior antibiotic treatment, discordant bone surface swabs or with monomicrobial infections. As a conclusion, two consecutive diabetic toe cultures with bone contact accurately predict the pathogen of diabetic toe osteomyelitis in 90% of cases.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Bacterial Infections / diagnosis*
  • Bacteriological Techniques / methods*
  • Biopsy
  • Diabetes Complications / microbiology*
  • Humans
  • Osteomyelitis / microbiology*
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Skin Ulcer / microbiology*
  • Specimen Handling / methods*
  • Toes / microbiology*
  • Toes / pathology