Complications of diabetes can include foot ulcers and amputations. Diabetic patients with foot ulcers are 10-15 times more likely to have amputations than normal people. In particular, when infected, ulcers increase the risk of amputations in diabetic patients. However, most of these injuries can be prevented if patients know how to care for diabetic ulcers.

Diabetic foot ulcers are classified as mild, moderate, or severe. Gram-positive bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus and beta-hemolytic streptococci, are the most common pathogens in previously untreated mild and moderate infections. Severe, chronic, or previously treated infections are often caused by bacteria. Foot infections are common in diabetic patients and carry the risk of lower limb amputation. Therefore, the use of antibiotics to treat diabetic foot ulcers is of interest to many people.