Американское общество гирудотерапии

Antimicrobial prophylaxis during Hirudo medicinalis therapy: a multicenter study

Multicenter cohort study published in Journal of Reconstructive Microsurgery (2014)

Последнее обновление: June 18, 2026Рецензент: ASH Editorial Board
Research article — evidence reviewArticle reference
Evidence: Observational studyБезопасность и инфекционный контрольKruer RM, Barton CA, Roberti G, Gilbert B, McMillian WD · Journal of reconstructive microsurgery, 2014

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Medicinal leeches (Hirudo medicinalis) are indicated for salvage of tissue flaps, grafts, or replants when venous congestion threatens tissue viability. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of prophylactic antimicrobial agents in patients who received medicinal leech therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A multicenter retrospective cohort study of all adult patients between January 1, 2010, and February 28, 2013, who received medicinal leech therapy was conducted. RESULTS: Antimicrobial prophylaxis was documented in 54 (91.5%) of the included patients, ciprofloxacin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, piperacillin-tazobactam, and ceftriaxone in 33 (61.1%), 18 (33.3%), 2 (3.7%), and 2 (3.7%) patients, respectively. Surgical site infection (SSI) was found in seven (11.9%) patients, all of whom received antimicrobial prophylaxis. Aeromonas spp. was isolated in four infections, and all isolates were resistant to the chosen prophylactic agent. The SSI incidence was similar between antimicrobial prophylaxis agents. CONCLUSION: Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and ciprofloxacin appear equally effective at preventing leech-associated infections.

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

Publication typeJournal ArticleMulticenter Study
Indexed MeSH termsAgedAnti-Bacterial AgentsAntibiotic ProphylaxisCiprofloxacinFemaleHumansLeechingMaleMiddle AgedRetrospective StudiesSurgical Wound InfectionTrimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination

Резюме

Multicenter retrospective cohort of 54 leech-therapy patients found 11.9% surgical site infection rate despite prophylaxis; trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and ciprofloxacin were comparable but all Aeromonas isolates were resistant to the chosen agent.

Почему это важно для гирудотерапии

This multicenter retrospective cohort study evaluated antimicrobial prophylaxis in 59 adult patients who received Hirudo medicinalis therapy between 2010 and 2013, with 91.5% receiving prophylaxis (ciprofloxacin 61.1%, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole 33.3%, piperacillin-tazobactam and ceftriaxone 3.7% each). Surgical site infection occurred in 11.9% of patients, all of whom had received prophylaxis; Aeromonas spp. was isolated in four infections, and all isolates were resistant to the chosen prophylactic agent. The SSI incidence was similar across prophylactic agents, leading the authors to conclude that trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and ciprofloxacin appear equally effective. These findings are directly relevant to hirudotherapy infection prevention. Limitations include the retrospective design, the relatively small cohort, and the finding that all documented Aeromonas infections involved resistance to the prophylactic agent used, suggesting current prophylaxis strategies remain imperfect.

Цитирование

Antimicrobial prophylaxis during Hirudo medicinalis therapy: a multicenter study.

Kruer RM, Barton CA, Roberti G, Gilbert B, McMillian WD · Journal of reconstructive microsurgery, 2014

Связанный клинический контекст

Узнайте, как это исследование связано с клинической практикой

Добавлено в библиотеку ASH: May 26, 2026 · Последнее обновление сайта: June 18, 2026

Этот сайт предоставляет образовательную информацию и не является медицинской консультацией, диагнозом или рекомендацией по лечению. Гирудотерапия сопряжена с клинически значимыми рисками и должна проводиться только квалифицированными клиницистами в рамках институционально утверждённых протоколов. Разрешение FDA 510(k) для медицинских пиявок ограничено определёнными показаниями; обсуждения исследовательского и нелицензионного применения отмечены соответствующим образом. Для индивидуальных медицинских рекомендаций обратитесь к квалифицированному медицинскому специалисту.