American Society of Hirudotherapy

Morganella Morganii Infection in Hirudo Medicinalis (Iran): A Case Report

Case report published in Veterinary sciences (2022)

Last Updated: June 18, 2026Reviewed by: ASH Editorial Board
Research article — evidence reviewArticle reference
Evidence: Case reportGenomics & ProteomicsSafety & Infection ControlAntimicrobial ResistanceRahmati Holasoo H et al. · Veterinary sciences, 2022

Abstract

Medicinal leeches (Hirudo medicinalis) are used in surgical and non-surgical manners. Morganella morganii is an opportunistic and zoonotic pathogenic bacterium causing serious clinical complications. In this study, we isolated, discovered and characterized M. morganii-infected H. medicinalis. We detected and identified M. morganii in all inflamed and swollen Hirudo medicinalis samples. The 16S rRNA sequence of the isolates confirmed all strains of M. morganii. All strains were sensitive to Ceftriaxone, Ceftiofur, Danofloxacin, Ciprofloxacin, Enrofloxacin, Oxytetracycline, and Meropenem and were resistant to Erythromycin, Amoxicillin, Ampicillin, Cefazolin, Colistin, Penicillin G, and Lincomycin. This pathogenic bacterium is a zoonotic pathogen, and monitoring the prevalence rate of this bacteria is strongly necessary for leeches used in human medical treatment and care. Finally, all infected leeches were treated successfully in this case report study.

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

Publication typeCase ReportsJournal Article

Summary

Morganella Morganii Infection in Hirudo Medicinalis (Iran): A Case Report.

Why This Matters for Hirudotherapy

This report examined the isolation and characterization of Morganella morganii — an opportunistic, zoonotic pathogenic bacterium — from inflamed and swollen medicinal leech (Hirudo medicinalis) specimens, including 16S rRNA confirmation and antibiotic susceptibility profiling of the isolates. This is directly relevant to hirudotherapy and ASH's domain because M. morganii can cause serious clinical complications, and the reported resistance profile (resistant to ampicillin, penicillin G, amoxicillin, and others; sensitive to ciprofloxacin, meropenem, and several additional agents) informs microbial safety considerations for leeches used in human medical treatment. The authors emphasize that monitoring prevalence of this pathogen in therapeutic leeches is necessary, and note that all infected leeches were treated successfully. However, this is explicitly a case report providing no quantitative prevalence data, no human clinical outcome data, and no broader surveillance, so its direct applicability to routine hirudotherapy practice is limited.

Citation

Morganella Morganii Infection in Hirudo Medicinalis (Iran): A Case Report.

Rahmati Holasoo H et al. · Veterinary sciences, 2022

DOI

Added to ASH library: March 18, 2026 · Site last updated: June 18, 2026

This website provides educational information and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. Medicinal leech therapy carries clinically meaningful risks and should be performed only by qualified clinicians under institutionally approved protocols. FDA 510(k) clearance for medicinal leeches is limited to specific indications; investigational and off-label discussions are labeled accordingly. For patient-specific guidance, consult a qualified healthcare provider.