Aeromonas hydrophila infection associated with the use of medicinal leeches
Case report published in Journal of Clinical Microbiology (1989)
Abstract
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.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Summary
Seminal early case report of Aeromonas hydrophila infection in a skin graft patient treated with medicinal leeches, establishing the historical baseline for leech-borne infection literature.
Why This Matters for Hirudotherapy
This case report describes a patient who developed Aeromonas hydrophila wound infection after medicinal leech (Hirudo medicinalis) therapy was used to treat venous congestion following skin graft surgery. The infection required systemic antibiotic therapy, and the authors note that A. hydrophila is the predominant gut flora of the leech, essential for blood digestion but a potential pathogen in wounds. This is directly relevant to ASH's domain, as infection risk is a critical safety consideration in hirudotherapy. The caveat is that this is a single case report, so it illustrates risk rather than establishing incidence rates; however, the microbiological rationale for prophylactic antibiotics is clearly stated and clinically actionable.
Citation
Aeromonas hydrophila infection associated with the use of medicinal leeches.
Snower DP, Ruef C, Kuritza AP, Edberg SC · Journal of clinical microbiology, 1989
Added to ASH library: May 26, 2026 · Site last updated: June 18, 2026