Bacteriological study of aerobic isolates from plantar ulcers of paucibacillary leprosy patients.

BACKGROUND: Plantar ulcers commonly occur in leprosy patients, which usually recur and cause morbidity in such cases.

AIMS: The aim of the study is to find out the bacteriological profile of these ulcers and to find out the antibiotic susceptibility of the isolates so that appropriate drugs may be chosen for treatment and for prevention of recurrence.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-six samples from recurrent plantar ulcers of paucibacillary leprosy patients (attending the outpatient department of Calcutta School of Tropical Medicine) were studied for the purpose. Proper sample collection, gram staining, inoculation on culture media, and final identification by biochemical methods were undertaken. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was done for appropriate choice of drugs.

RESULTS: Mixed growth of bacteria was seen in 20 (36%) cases while single organism was isolated from the rest. Staphylococcus aureus is the predominant single isolate followed by E. coil, Proteus sp. and Pseudomonas sp. Chloramphenicol and gentamycin are the two drugs that have shown efficacy to the extent of 75 to 100% and 25 to 100% respectively in vitro studies.

CONCLUSION: Bacteriological study of plantar ulcers of leprosy patients has revealed Staphylococcus aureus as the main pathogen. Treatment with chloramphenicol and gentamycin holds good prospect as per our study.