Allkja, Jontana and Bakri, Ahmed and Short, Bryn and Gilmour, Andrew and Brown, Jason L. and Bal, Abhijit M. and Newby, Kelly J.M. and Jenkins, Toby and Short, Rob D. and Williams, Craig and Ramage, Gordon (2025) Investigating the prevalence of fungi in diabetic ulcers: an under-recognised contributor to polymicrobial biofilms. APMIS: Journal of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, 133 (4): e70025. ISSN 0903-4641
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This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of fungi in diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). The results showed that routine diagnostic methods were sufficient for fungal detection, but enhanced culture methods allowed for more precise fungal identification.AI Topics:
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Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are common complications for diabetic patients, often exacerbated by complex polymicrobial biofilm infections. While the majority of DFU studies are bacterial focused, fungi have also been identified. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of fungi in DFUs, as well as their potential role and influence on persistence and wound healing. Consecutive DFU swabs were collected from 128 patients (n = 349). Fungal positivity was assessed using enhanced culture and real-time qPCR. Routine microbiology cultures were carried out as part of standard care in the clinics, and their results were then compared to our laboratory investigation. Routine and enhanced culture resulted in similar rates of fungal detection (~9%), whereas qPCR resulted in a higher rate of detection (31%). Notably, the predominant yeast Candida parapsilosis was present in ischaemic and penetrating bone wounds. These findings support existing evidence of fungal presence in DFUs. We demonstrated that routine diagnostic methods are sufficient for fungal detection, but enhanced culture methods allow for more precise fungal identification. Finally, while fungal presence does not appear to impact patient outcomes in our study, their role within these infections remains poorly understood, and further studies are needed to fully understand their relationship to the microbiome.
Title | Investigating the prevalence of fungi in diabetic ulcers: an under-recognised contributor to polymicrobial biofilms |
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Creators | Allkja, Jontana and Bakri, Ahmed and Short, Bryn and Gilmour, Andrew and Brown, Jason L. and Bal, Abhijit M. and Newby, Kelly J.M. and Jenkins, Toby and Short, Rob D. and Williams, Craig and Ramage, Gordon |
Identification Number | 10.1111/apm.70025 |
Date | April 2025 |
Divisions | College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing > Dental School |
Publisher | Wiley |
URI | https://pub.demo35.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/26 |
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Item Type | Article |
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Depositing User | Unnamed user with email ejo1f20@soton.ac.uk |
Date Deposited | 11 Jun 2025 16:34 |
Revision | 13 |
Last Modified | 12 Jun 2025 12:35 |
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