Infectious Diseases and Diabetes

DEFINITION

• Diabetes is commonly associated with an increased risk of certain infections; however, good data to support this contention is often slim.
• According to Boyko and Lipsky (ref contains review of epidemiological data and risks), "probable" means data support the association, "possible" means presence or absence of the association cannot be confirmed from available information and "doubtful" indicates that data does not support a link.
• Probable increased risk of infection: asymptomatic bacteruria, lower extremity infections, increased post-surgical infections after sternotomy or total hip replacement, Group B streptococcal infections and reactivation TB in American Indians.
• Possible increased risk of infection: genitourinary infections such as bacterial cystitis, pyelonephritis, candidal vaginitis; respiratory tract infections including pneumonia, influenza, chronic bronchitis, primary or reactivation TB, zygomycete infections (e.g., mucormycosis), malignant otitis media; Fournier’s gangrene.
• Doubtful increased risk of infection: S. aureus infections, chronic sinusitis.