Managing diabetes-related infections in the elderly.

The elevated serum glucose levels of diabetics affect traditional host defenses, predisposing these individuals to infectious processes. The elderly diabetic patient is also faced with senescence of the immune system which can alter host defense mechanisms and increase the risk of infection. Infections in elderly diabetics can be severe and life-threatening, and only through the prompt recognition and treatment of these disorders can morbidity and mortality be avoided. Broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents, in conjunction with surgical intervention, are often necessary to eradicate these infections. Common sites of involvement include the skin, biliary tract, urinary tract, and the soft tissues and bones of the feet.