Characterization of the digestive tract microbiota of Hirudo orientalis (medicinal leech) and antibiotic resistance profile
Research article published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (2014)
Abstract
BACKGROUND: There are at least three distinct European leech species used medicinally: Hirudo medicinalis, H. orientalis, and H. verbana. Infection caused by leech microbiota is the most widely reported complication. Few studies have reported the culturable and unculturable bacteria and examined the antibiotic resistances in H. orientalis. METHODS: Following stratified random sampling from a major worldwide leech supplier, Hirudo orientalis leeches were identified by visual comparison and amplification and sequencing the cox1 locus. Combined culture and culture-independent approaches were used to characterize the microbiota of the midgut, and bacterial gyrB sequences from distinct colonies were used to identify the Aeromonas isolates. Nonculturable studies involved clone libraries of 16S rRNA genes, and Etests were used to investigate antibiotic sensitivities. RESULTS: Analysis of 16S rRNA gene clone libraries revealed the presence of several species in the intraluminal fluid of the crop, including a new finding of Morganella morganii, with Rikenella-like (35 percent) and Aeromonas veronii (38 percent) dominant members. The intestinum contained bacteria not previously isolated from the leech: Magnetospirillium species and Roseospira marina. Etests showed all A. veronii isolates were sensitive to ciprofloxacin, with either a complete or intermediate resistance to Augmentin. CONCLUSIONS: The authors show diverse microbiota in the leech digestive tract. The pathogenic potential of the additional gut symbionts isolated in this study is yet to be elucidated; however, M. morganii, which is a known human pathogen, is a new finding. In addition to adding to the knowledge base regarding antibiotic sensitivities, this article serves as an update to the reconstructive surgeon regarding leech therapy.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Resumen
Combined culture and culture-independent methods identify Aeromonas veronii, Rikenella-like and Morganella morganii as members of the Hirudo orientalis digestive tract microbiota, with all A. veronii isolates sensitive to ciprofloxacin but partially resistant to Augmentin.
Por qué esto importa para la hirudoterapia
Este estudio caracterizó la microbiota del tracto digestivo de sanguijuelas Hirudo orientalis provenientes de un importante proveedor mundial, empleando métodos combinados de cultivo y métodos independientes de cultivo. Se identificaron bacterias similares a Rikenella y Aeromonas veronii como miembros dominantes del fluido intraluminal del buche, junto con hallazgos nuevos que incluyen el patógeno humano Morganella morganii. Las pruebas de Etest mostraron que todos los aislados de A. veronii fueron sensibles a ciprofloxacino, pero presentaron resistencia completa o intermedia a Augmentin. Este trabajo es relevante para la hirudoterapia porque la infección procedente de la microbiota de la sanguijuela es la complicación más ampliamente reportada, y los autores señalan que el artículo sirve como actualización para el cirujano reconstructivo respecto a la terapia con sanguijuelas, a la vez que amplía la base de conocimiento sobre sensibilidades antibióticas. Sin embargo, el potencial patogénico de los simbiontes intestinales adicionales aislados aún debe ser elucidado.
Citación
Characterization of the digestive tract microbiota of Hirudo orientalis (medicinal leech) and antibiotic resistance profile.
Whitaker IS, Maltz M, Siddall ME, Graf J · Plastic and reconstructive surgery, 2014
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Añadido a la biblioteca ASH: May 26, 2026 · Última actualización del sitio: 18 de junio de 2026