The role of leech water sampling in choice of prophylactic antibiotics in medical leech therapy

Wilmer, Amanda; Slater, Karen; Yip, Judy; Carr, Nicholas; Grant, Jennifer

doi:10.1002/micr.22087

Cited by 25 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…Although the most common bacteria causing cellulitis are streptococci (especially S. pyogenes) and S. aureus, in the presence of leech (Hirudo medicinalis) application history; Aeromonas species, are a most common organism to be accused [2][3][4]. Aeromonas are found in leech gut flora.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Periorbital Cellulitis that Developed after Alternative Medication of Hirudo Medicinalis Application

GülyeÅil¹,

Sabaner²,

Duman³

et al. 2017

J Clin Exp Ophthalmol

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We aimed to present a case of periorbital (preseptal) cellulitis that developed after Hirudo medicinalis alternative medicine application for glaucoma treatment which can be rarely seen in routine ophthalmology practice. A 36 year old woman with a glaucoma was admitted to our outpatient clinic because of redness, pain and swelling around the right eye for three days and gave a history of leech application 1 week ago, that recommended by her relatives as a remedy for glaucoma. Orbital cellulitis was excluded and cure was achieved with oral ciprofloxacin and flurbiprofen treatment. Patients with chronic diseases such as glaucoma, they are abandoning the treatment over time, will seek solutions from alternative medicine. These inappropriate treatments without scientific evidence can cause various complications. Physicians should maintain proper communication with the patients inform them about their chronic diseases (e.g. glaucoma) to make them the part of the solution and treatments.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Periorbital Cellulitis that Developed after Alternative Medication of Hirudo Medicinalis Application

GülyeÅil¹,

Sabaner²,

Duman³

et al. 2017

J Clin Exp Ophthalmol

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“…However, out of 21 isolates of Aeromonas species isolated from the water collected from the leech tanks, 71.4% were ciprofloxacin susceptible. All isolates were sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim susceptible, which was also used as a prophylactic antibiotic regimen of choice for leech therapy [28]. A regular surveillance to detect resistant Aeromonas species in medical leeches, by controlling the water in which they are kept, was suggested.…”

Section: Conditions For Treatment With Leechesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recommendations for the Use of Leeches in Reconstructive Plastic Surgery

Mumcuoglu

2014

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine

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A written informed consent should be obtained from the patient before hirudotherapy is initiated. The patients should be treated each day of leech therapy with anti-Aeromonas antibiotics. Leeches should be applied on the darker spots of the reattached body parts or flaps. Usually 1–10 leeches are used for each treatment, while at the beginning, the patient might need two or more treatments per day. Leech therapy is used until venous capillary return is established across the wound border by angiogenesis. Usually the treatment with leeches lasts for 2–6 days. Hematologic evaluations should be performed every 4 hrs and the patient has to receive blood transfusions when the hemoglobin level is lower than 8 g/dL. Signs of regional lymphadenitis, slight swelling, and pain of regional lymph nodes on the side of leech application and subfebrile temperature can occur. Contraindications related to hirudotherapy include arterial insufficiency, hemophilia, hemorrhagic diathesis, hematological malignancies, anemia, hypotension, and sepsis. Leech therapy is not recommended in pregnancy and lactation and in patients with an unstable medical status, history of allergy to leeches or severe allergic diathesis, and disposition to keloid scar formation, as well as in those using anticoagulants and immunosuppressants.

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“…to patients via leeches (kept in tanks that were inadequately cleaned) [45]. As might be expected, some A. hydrophila isolates have been resistant to the antibiotics that are used as prophylaxis against infection [46, 47]. Proper cleaning and maintenance of leech tanks would seem to provide enduring value in preventing leech-associated infections.…”

Section: Routes Of Transmission Of Waterborne Pathogensmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hospital Water and Opportunities for Infection Prevention

Decker

Palmore

2014

Curr Infect Dis Rep

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Nosocomial waterborne pathogens may reach patients through several modes of transmission. Colonization of healthcare facility waterworks can occur in the proximal infrastructure, in the distal water outlets, or both. Infections with waterborne organisms such as Legionella, mycobacteria, Pseudomonas, and others cause significant morbidity and mortality, particularly in immunocomprised patients. Hospitals should have prospective water safety plans that include preventive measures, as prevention is preferable to remediation of contaminated hospital water distribution system. Whole genome sequencing may provide more informative epidemiologic data to link patient infections with hospital water isolates.

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The role of leech water sampling in choice of prophylactic antibiotics in medical leech therapy

Cited by 25 publications

References 8 publications

Periorbital Cellulitis that Developed after Alternative Medication of Hirudo Medicinalis Application

Periorbital Cellulitis that Developed after Alternative Medication of Hirudo Medicinalis Application

Recommendations for the Use of Leeches in Reconstructive Plastic Surgery

Hospital Water and Opportunities for Infection Prevention

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