Abstract

Dr. Ganesh N. Sharma, Shaik Kareemulla*, Dr. Birendra Shrivastava and Dr. Khaja Pasha

ABSTRACT

The impact of microorganisms on infectious diseases has been extensively studied and reviewed using different approaches to elicit their possible role in treatment. These have ranged from highlighting the occurrence of particular species or groups of organisms, to assessing the impact of microbial populations on clinical outcomes. In many cases, studies are difficult to compare due to the use of different methods of specimen collection and microbial analysis as well as differences in patient demographics, etiology and infection status. In addition, clinical analyses tend to be limited in scope and based on assumptions regarding relative pathogenicity. A range of clinical criteria have been used to define infectious diseases. The Consensus Development Conference on Diabetic Foot Wound Care agreed that infections are characterized and manifested as purulent secretions or the presence of two or more signs of inflammation (erythema, warmth, tenderness, heat, induration). Guidelines for the management of chronic infections by British Association of Dermatologists and Royal College of Physicians, recommend that infection should be considered if one of the following is present: pyrexia, increased pain, increasing erythema of surrounding skin or lymphangitis. Microbiologically, a critical bacterial load, synergic relationships between bacterial species and the presence of specific pathogens have been proposed as indicators of infection. The presence of microbes per se is not indicative of infection. However, the possibility that a critical microbial load might directly affect the treatment outcome in both acute and chronic diseases has been considered for several decades.