Aeromonas hydrophila infection associated with the use of medicinal leeches

The use of medicinal leeches (Hiruda medicinalis) is becoming more common after plastic surgery to control venous congestion of skin grafts. We describe a patient with Aeromonas hydrophila infection whose graft was treated with medicinal leeches. The infection required systemic antibiotic therapy. A. hydrophila is the predominant bacterial flora in the gut of the leech, where it plays an essential role for the animal in the digestion of blood. The potential for A. hydrophila wound infection, and appropriate antibiotic prophylaxis of the leech or patient, should be considered when medicinal leeches are used.

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Case report of a patient who developed Aeromonas hydrophila infection after medicinal leeches were applied to a congested skin graft; systemic antibiotics were required and prophylaxis of leech or patient should be considered.

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