Analysis of Lower Leg Ulcer Pathogens Using 16S rRNA Gene Based Method

The study was carried out to determine the bacterial pathogens associated with lower leg ulcers in Ebonyi State from July, 2016 to July of 2017, using wound swabs from eligible patients with lower leg ulcers. The swabs were processed and analysed using standard microbiological methods, isolated microbial pathogens were identified by employing standard biochemical test, microbial identification tests and standard molecular methods for DNA extraction. Pressure ulcers 450 (37.2%) was found to be the most commonly infected, closely followed by diabetic foot ulcers 300 (24.8%) and non-healing surgical ulcers 210 (17.4%). Staphylococcus aureus strain ATCC 12600 (12.0%, 6.7% and 16.7%) was the most predominant in venous, diabetic and non-healing surgical ulcers respectively, while pressure ulcer had Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain M37351 (8.2%). Out of 1500 specimens examined, 1210 (80.7%) showed positive microbial growth, while 290 (19.3%) were not infected. Age group of 31-40 years had the highest prevalence rate of 20.7%, followed by 41-50 years (20.5%) while the least was 0-10 years (0.1%). The males were mostly affected than females. This study has revealed a high index of microbial involvement in lower leg ulcer in Ebonyi State. We recommend a multidisciplinary approach to leg ulcer management and specific intervention strategies, not only to treat but also to reduce and subsequently prevent their spread in rural communities. This results and findings will hopefully help to create awareness on the imperative to improve the quality of the treatment regime employed. Thus, each health institution should carry out a survey to determine the common microbial wound pathogens among their patients.