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Previous Volume 341:1906-1912 December 16, 1999 Number 25 Next

	Since this article has no abstract, we have provided an extract of the first 100 words of the full text and any section headings.

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Contrary to common belief, the association between diabetes mellitus and increased susceptibility to infection in general is not supported by strong evidence.^1,2 However, many specific infections are more common in diabetic patients, and some occur almost exclusively in them. Other infections occur with increased severity and are associated with an increased risk of complications in patients with diabetes.

Several aspects of immunity are altered in patients with diabetes. Polymorphonuclear leukocyte function is depressed, particularly when acidosis is also present. Leukocyte adherence, chemotaxis, and phagocytosis may be affected.^3,4,5 Antioxidant systems involved in bactericidal activity may also be impaired.⁶ The clinical data . . . [Full Text of this Article]

Common Infections in Patients with Diabetes

Respiratory Tract Infections

Urinary Tract Infections

Soft-Tissue Infections

Infections Occurring Principally in Patients with Diabetes

Invasive Otitis Externa

Rhinocerebral Mucormycosis

Emphysematous Infections

            Cholecystitis

            Pyelonephritis and Cystitis

Microorganisms Strongly Associated with Infections in Patients with Diabetes

Source Information

From Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pa. (N.J., G.M.C., M.R.W.); and Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston (A.W.K.).

Address reprint requests to Dr. Joshi at Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Suite UPC 4100, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, P.O. Box 850, MC-HU15, Hershey, PA 17033.

References

Related Letters:

Infections Associated with Diabetes Mellitus
Curtis J. W., Mangan D., Selwitz R. H., Genco R., Joshi N., Caputo G. M.
Extract | Full Text  
N Engl J Med 2000; 342:895-896, Mar 23, 2000. Correspondence

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