Sociedad Americana de Hirudoterapia

Selection of a multidrug-resistant Aeromonas during medicinal leech therapy

Case report published in New Microbes and New Infections (2017)

Última actualización: June 18, 2026Revisado por: ASH Editorial Board
Research article — evidence reviewArticle reference
Evidence: Research reportSeguridad y control de infeccionesRuppé E, Cherkaoui A, Wagner N et al. · New microbes and new infections, 2017

Abstract

We report the selection in a 15-year-old boy of a multidrug-resistant, extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Aeromonas salmonicida after medicinal leech therapy that required an antibiotic prophylaxis based on piperacillin/tazobactam and cotrimoxazole. Whole genome sequencing of the strain indeed revealed 13 antibiotic resistance genes, including the ESBL CTX-M-3 and the unusual β-lactamase SCO-1.

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

Publication typeJournal Article

Resumen

15-year-old boy receiving medicinal leech therapy under piperacillin/tazobactam and cotrimoxazole prophylaxis developed multidrug-resistant ESBL-producing Aeromonas with 13 antibiotic resistance genes including CTX-M-3 and SCO-1.

Por qué esto importa para la hirudoterapia

This report documents selection of a multidrug-resistant, extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Aeromonas salmonicida in a 15-year-old boy during medicinal leech therapy requiring piperacillin/tazobactam and cotrimoxazole prophylaxis. Whole genome sequencing revealed 13 antibiotic resistance genes, including CTX-M-3 and the unusual β-lactamase SCO-1. For ASH's domain, this case directly highlights an emerging safety concern in hirudotherapy: the potential for leech-associated Aeromonas to harbor or acquire clinically important resistance mechanisms, complicating prophylaxis. The honest caveat is that this is a single case report involving one patient and one strain; it cannot establish incidence or general risk, and it provides no efficacy or comparative outcome data.

Citación

Selection of a multidrug-resistant Aeromonas during medicinal leech therapy.

Ruppé E, Cherkaoui A, Wagner N et al. · New microbes and new infections, 2017

DOI

Contexto clínico relacionado

Explore cómo esta investigación se conecta con la práctica clínica

Safety ProtocolsAeromonas ManagementAeromonasAntimicrobial PeptidesPediatrics

Añadido a la biblioteca ASH: May 26, 2026 · Última actualización del sitio: June 18, 2026

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