Nosocomial Infections from Medicinal Leeches — Epidemiology and Prevention

The manner in which leeches are maintained before they are used for therapy has not been studied as a factor contributing to nosocomial infections. A 5-year retrospective survey of Aeromonas hydrophila nosocomial infections at a hospital in Marseille, France, revealed infections in 5 (4.1%) of an estimated 122 patients treated with leeches in the Hand Surgery Unit and 2 (2.4%) of an estimated 85 patients treated with leeches in other hospital units. The retrospective survey showed that the Hand Surgery Unit was the only unit that had its own aquarium for maintaining leeches; this aquarium was filled with tap water contaminated with Aeromonas species and was not regularly disinfected or cleaned. Leeches used in other units were maintained in noncarbonated water in a transport device. Use of leeches kept in aquariums that are filled with tap water and not disinfected or cleaned regularly may be linked to A. hydrophila infections.

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

Systematic investigation of nosocomial infections caused by Aeromonas species following medicinal leech therapy. Characterized the clinical presentation, microbiological profile, and risk factors for infection, establishing the evidence base for routine antibiotic prophylaxis during leech therapy.

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