Citric acid treatment of a diabetic leg ulcer infected with meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Abstract

Diabetic leg ulcers are difficult to manage. Infection by bacterial pathogens, such as meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), is one of the most important reasons for non-healing of ulcers. If not treated in a timely manner, the ulceration may progress to septicaemia, amputation and even death. We report a successful treatment of a diabetic leg ulcer infected with MRSA, which was not responding to conventional antibiotic therapy and local wound care combined, with a local application of 3% citric acid ointment once daily for 30 days. The results indicated that its use may be a potential treatment in the management of hard-to-heal ulcers when all other options have been exhausted.