Rethinking antimicrobial prophylaxis in patients receiving medicinal leech therapy
Case report and commentary published in American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy (2022)
Abstract
PURPOSE: To describe challenges in the management of prophylaxis against infections for patients receiving medicinal leech therapy given changes in antimicrobial resistance patterns in the normal flora of leeches. SUMMARY: This article presents a patient case of reconstructive surgery complicated by infection associated with the use of medicinal leeches, as well as a discussion of prophylaxis in medicinal leech therapy, focusing on considerations for choosing a prophylactic agent. CONCLUSION: Our case report highlights resistance changes in Aeromonas isolates associated with medicinal leeches and the potential for complications if isolates resistant to chosen prophylactic agents arise. When administering antimicrobial prophylaxis in patients receiving medicinal leech therapy, clinicians should be familiar with the susceptibilities of Aeromonas species but also conscious of evolving antimicrobial resistance given the extent of the consequences of infected surgical grafts.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Zusammenfassung
A case-driven discussion of changing Aeromonas resistance patterns argues for clinician familiarity with local susceptibilities and antimicrobial stewardship principles when prescribing prophylaxis for medicinal leech therapy.
Warum dies für die Hirudotherapie relevant ist
This article presents a patient case of reconstructive surgery complicated by leech-associated infection, utilizing it to discuss the challenges of antimicrobial prophylaxis in light of evolving resistance patterns in Aeromonas isolates. It is highly relevant to the American Society of Hirudotherapy domain because it explicitly warns of the severe consequences of infected surgical grafts when prophylactic agents do not match local bacterial susceptibilities. Clinicians are urged to stay conscious of resistance changes when selecting prophylactic antibiotics for medicinal leech therapy. The scope is limited as it is primarily based on a single case report rather than a broad clinical trial, but it accurately highlights the ongoing need for dynamic infection control protocols in hirudotherapy.
Zitation
Rethinking antimicrobial prophylaxis in patients receiving medicinal leech therapy.
McCracken JA, Koehler SM, Sharma R · American journal of health-system pharmacy, 2022
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