A new analysis of 16 medical studies looked at how often fungi found in diabetic foot ulcers resist common antifungal drugs. The review included data from hundreds of patients with these hard-to-heal wounds.
Researchers found that resistance rates varied widely by drug. Nystatin had the highest resistance at 32.48%, followed by itraconazole at 19.46% and fluconazole at 16.4%. Lower resistance was seen with miconazole (1.18%) and caspofungin (4.69%). The differences for itraconazole, fluconazole, and caspofungin were statistically significant, meaning they are unlikely due to chance.
The study also found that Candida albicans, a common fungus, was more resistant than other Candida species. No safety information was reported in the reviewed studies.
This is a review of existing research, not a new clinical trial. The findings suggest that choosing an antifungal with lower resistance rates may improve treatment success for diabetic foot ulcers. However, individual treatment decisions should be made with a doctor based on the specific infection and patient history.