Elimination of symbiotic Aeromonas spp. from the intestinal tract of the medicinal leech, Hirudo medicinalis, using ciprofloxacin feeding
Research article published in Clin Microbiol Infect (2009)
Abstract
The use of the medicinal leech (Hirudo medicinalis) in promoting venous drainage in tissues whose vitality is threatened by venous congestion and obstruction, especially in plastic and reconstructive surgery, has been complicated by infections caused by Aeromonas spp. These are leech endosymbionts for which patients undergoing hirudotherapy frequently receive systemic chemoprophylaxis. In order to evaluate the possibility of rendering leeches safe for use on patients, H. medicinalis were fed artificially with a 2 g/L arginine solution (used as a phagostimulant) supplemented with ciprofloxacin (100 mg/L). Aeromonads were detected in 57 out of 80 control leeches (71.3%), but in none of the 56 leeches treated with ciprofloxacin (p <0.001). Treated leeches survived for up to 4 months. Tested weekly, 61% of these leeches took human blood for at least 4 weeks after treatment and all remained negative for aeromonads. All water samples in which leeches were kept before treatment were contaminated with Aeromonas spp.; none were detected in any of the NaCl/arginine solutions with which treated animals were fed. Molecular characterization of two phenotypically distinct isolates using gyrB sequencing showed that one clustered tightly with A. veronii and the other was closely related to A. media. Other environmental bacteria and fungi were isolated from 26.5% of treated leeches that had taken a blood meal 1-4 weeks after treatment. Ciprofloxacin reduced the number of leech-associated aeromonads to undetectable levels for extended periods. Most treated leeches were ready to take a blood meal after treatment, suggesting the possibility of using ciprofloxacin-treated leeches instead of chemoprophylaxis in patients undergoing hirudotherapy.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Resumen
Feeding leeches with ciprofloxacin-supplemented arginine solution eliminated Aeromonas spp. to undetectable levels in 56 of 56 treated leeches; treated leeches survived up to 4 months.
Por qué esto importa para la hirudoterapia
Este estudio evaluó si alimentar a sanguijuelas medicinales (Hirudo medicinalis) con una solución de arginina suplementada con ciprofloxacino podía eliminar las bacterias endosimbióticas del género Aeromonas, que complican la hirudoterapia al causar infecciones en los pacientes. Se detectaron Aeromonadaceae en el 71.3% de las sanguijuelas control, pero en ninguna de las 56 sanguijuelas tratadas con ciprofloxacino (p < 0.001); las sanguijuelas tratadas sobrevivieron hasta 4 meses y el 61% seguía aceptando ingestas de sangre al menos 4 semanas después del tratamiento. Estos hallazgos son directamente relevantes para el ámbito de ASH, ya que la infección por Aeromonas es una complicación clínica reconocida de la terapia con sanguijuelas, y los autores sugieren que las sanguijuelas tratadas con ciprofloxacino podrían reemplazar potencialmente a la quimioprofilaxis sistémica. No obstante, el 26.5% de las sanguijuelas tratadas que se alimentaron tras el tratamiento aún albergaban otras bacterias y hongos ambientales, y el estudio no aporta datos de resultados de infección a nivel de paciente, por lo que el impacto clínico en la práctica real sigue sin demostrarse.
Citación
Elimination of symbiotic Aeromonas spp. from the intestinal tract of the medicinal leech, Hirudo medicinalis, using ciprofloxacin feeding.
Mumcuoglu KY et al. · Clin Microbiol Infect, 2009
Contexto clínico relacionado
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Añadido a la biblioteca ASH: May 27, 2026 · Última actualización del sitio: 18 de junio de 2026