Abstract
This study investigates the bacteriological profile, antibiotic susceptibility, and potential natural treatment for diabetic wound infections at Laquintinie Hospital in Douala, Cameroon. Over 2 months (June to July 2024), 75 diabetic patients with wounds were analyzed, revealing a 73.08% infection rate. The most common bacterial isolates were Staphylococcus aureus (54.38%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (40.35%), and Escherichia coli (29.82%), with significant antibiotic resistance observed. Imipenem (82.65% sensitivity) and gentamicin (72.88% sensitivity) were the most effective antibiotics, while amoxicillin-clavulanic acid showed the highest resistance rate (46.94%). This study also evaluated the antibacterial and antioxidant efficacy of Fontitrygon margarita liver oil, particularly when extracted with spices such as Monodora myristica and Zingiber officinale. The oil demonstrated significant antibacterial activity against multiresistant bacterial isolates, with minimum inhibitory concentrations ranging from 16 to 128 mg/mL. Incorporating spices during extraction enhanced the oil's antibacterial activity, showing synergistic effects in 58.33% of cases. The oil also exhibited strong antioxidant properties, with improvements noted in DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays when spices were added, highlighting the highest efficacy with M. myristica and Z. officinale extracts. These findings suggest that F. margarita liver oil, especially when combined with spices, could serve as a valuable natural alternative for managing diabetic wound infections, addressing the challenges posed by antibiotic resistance and oxidative stress. Further research and clinical trials are recommended to validate these results and explore their practical applications.