PATHOGENIC BACTERIA IN DIABETIC FOOT ULCERS: MICROBIAL DIVERSITY, RESISTANCE PATTERNS, THERAPEUTIC CHALLENGES, AND PATH TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are chronic, complex wounds that pose a significant global health care burden, particularly for individuals with poor control of their glycemic index. The current study sheds light on the prevalence of polymicrobial infections that are mostly brought on by drug-resistant bacterial strains by investigating the microbial diversity within DFUs. Additionally, we highlight the resistance mechanisms that hinder curative outcomes and lead to therapeutic failure. The current review highlights the need for localized surveillance and antimicrobial management while also examining regional variations in resistance patterns. Emerging therapeutic approaches such as bacteriophage therapy, antimicrobial peptides, biofilm-disrupting elements, and AI-guided approaches offer beneficial substitutes for conventional antibiotics. The management of DFU is changing due to molecular diagnostic techniques like metagenomics and 16S rRNA sequencing, which may make pathogen-specific treatment strategies possible. The current review placed these innovations within the framework of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, urging responsible antibiotic use, fair and impartial healthcare, developments in technology. Overall, this analysis highlighted the need to integrate new clinical techniques with microbiological insights to enhance the consequences of DFUs and contribute significantly to global health protocols.