[Effect of aerobic and anaerobic germs on the healing of decubitus ulcers].

Bacteriological examinations of decubitus ulcers were performed in 34 geriatric patients. A total of 179 wound swabs were analyzed for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. The decubitus ulcers were divided into three groups according to wound healing: group A with progressive worsening, group B, stationary, and group C with healing within 10 weeks. The aerobic bacteria isolated from the three groups were significantly different (p less than 0.0001). In group A Pseudomonas aeruginosa was isolated in 88%, enterococci in 73% and Providentia in 34%, whereas in group B staphylococci were found in 69%, enterococci in 62% and E. coli in 32%. In group C staphylococci dominated with 91%, followed by enterococci (51%) and E. coli (25%). Anaerobic microorganisms were significantly (p less than 0.01) more frequent in decubitus ulcers with poor healing tendency (group A and B) than in healing ulcers (group C). These results suggest that bacterial growth on decubital ulcers significantly influences decubital ulcer healing. Furthermore, bacteriological examinations are of prognostic value and the results should be considered in treatment.