Ciprofloxacin-resistant Aeromonas infection following leech therapy for digit replantation: report of 2 cases
Case reports published in J Hand Surg Am (2014)
Abstract
Medicinal leeches are commonly used after finger replantation to treat surgically unsalvageable venous congestion. Infection from Aeromonas hydrophila is a recognized complication of leech therapy that can be underestimated by the medical community. Ciprofloxacin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole are the most commonly recommended prophylactic antibiotics used to prevent A. hydrophila infections during leech therapy. Here, we report 2 cases of ciprofloxacin-resistant Aeromonas infections, occurring within 4 months of each other. Both cases developed after leech therapy for unsuccessful digital replantation. These infections were successfully treated with ceftriaxone. Ciprofloxacin-resistant Aeromonas should be recognized when determining prophylactic antibiotic protocols for replant centers when leech therapy is used for finger replantation.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Resumen
Two cases of ciprofloxacin-resistant Aeromonas infection following leech therapy for digital replantation, successfully treated with ceftriaxone.
Por qué esto importa para la hirudoterapia
The abstract reports two cases of ciprofloxacin-resistant Aeromonas infection occurring within four months of each other, both following leech therapy for unsuccessful digital replantation, and both successfully treated with ceftriaxone. The authors note that ciprofloxacin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole are the most commonly recommended prophylactic antibiotics for preventing Aeromonas hydrophila infections during leech therapy, and recommend that ciprofloxacin-resistant Aeromonas be recognized when determining prophylactic antibiotic protocols for replant centers using leech therapy. This is directly relevant to ASH's domain, documenting antibiotic-resistant infections complicating hirudotherapy and informing prophylaxis decisions. The limitation is that these are only two cases, providing limited epidemiological scope.
Citación
Ciprofloxacin-resistant Aeromonas infection following leech therapy for digit replantation: report of 2 cases.
van Alphen NA et al. · The Journal of hand surgery, 2014
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Añadido a la biblioteca ASH: May 27, 2026 · Última actualización del sitio: June 18, 2026