Ciprofloxacin-resistant Aeromonas infection following leech therapy for digit replantation: report of 2 cases

Medicinal leeches are commonly used after finger replantation to treat surgically unsalvageable venous congestion. Infection from Aeromonas hydrophila is a recognized complication of leech therapy that can be underestimated by the medical community. Ciprofloxacin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole are the most commonly recommended prophylactic antibiotics used to prevent A. hydrophila infections during leech therapy. Here, we report 2 cases of ciprofloxacin-resistant Aeromonas infections, occurring within 4 months of each other. Both cases developed after leech therapy for unsuccessful digital replantation. These infections were successfully treated with ceftriaxone. Ciprofloxacin-resistant Aeromonas should be recognized when determining prophylactic antibiotic protocols for replant centers when leech therapy is used for finger replantation.

Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.

Two consecutive cases of ciprofloxacin-resistant Aeromonas infection in finger replantation patients receiving leech therapy, successfully treated with ceftriaxone, demand reconsideration of prophylactic regimens in replant centers.

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