Microbial profiles and risk of amputation in fasciotomy and open wounds following the 2023 Türkiye earthquakes.

BACKGROUND

This retrospective, single-center study aimed to evaluate the microbial profiles of wound infections due to extremity injuries after the February 6, 2023, Kahramanmaraş earthquakes and their association with the risk of amputation.

METHODS

The study included 95 adult patients with post-earthquake wound infections and positive cultures-50 in the fasciotomy group and 45 in the open wound group.

RESULTS

The most frequently isolated microorganism was Acinetobacter spp. and the isolation rate of this pathogen was significantly higher in the fasciotomy group than in the open wound group (40% vs. 11.1%; p=0.0021). Although the Escherichia coli isolation rate was higher in the open wound group, this difference was not statistically significant. Polymicrobial infection rates were similar in both groups. Antibiotic susceptibility analysis showed that 86.5% of Acinetobacter spp. isolates were resistant to carbapenems and 10.8% to colistin. The isolation rate of Acinetobacter spp. was higher in patients who underwent amputation (35.14%) compared to those who did not (20.69%), but this difference did not reach statistical significance.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that the pathogen profile in post-earthquake wound infections may vary according to wound type and that Acinetobacter spp. infections with high antibiotic resistance may be a potential risk factor for amputation. In conclusion, resource-based evaluation of post-disaster wound infections, planning early and targeted treatment strategies, and developing effective approaches against highly resistant pathogens are critical for reducing the risk of amputation.