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J Reconstr Microsurg 1994; 10(2): 83-85
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-1006575
ORIGINAL ARTICLE

© 1994 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.

Intestinal Flora of the Medicinal Leech Hirudinaria Manillensis

Kyle D. Bickel, William C. Lineaweaver, Stephen Follansbee, Robert Feibel, Rebecca Jackson, Harry J. Buncke
  • Division of Microsurgery, Transplantation, and Replantation and Infectious Disease Service, Davies Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, and Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
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Publication History

Accepted for publication 1993

Publication Date:
08 March 2008 (online)

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ABSTRACT

Medicinal leeches are widely used to treat venous congestion in microvascular surgery, Aeromonas hydrophila infection, following application of the leech species Hirudo medicinalis, is a recognized complication. Administration of antibiotics directed at Aeromonas has been successful in minimizing complications of infection from this organism. A different leech species, Hirudinaria manillensis, has recently been introduced for microsurgical use. A study of the enteric content of 30 of these leeches showed that keromonas hydrophila was isolated in only 20 percent of animals, while the majority of remaining positive cultures were single and mixed gram-negative rods. All organisms isolated were sensitive to current recommended coverage for Aeromonas hydrophila. This study suggests that the enteric flora of different leech species may be variable and should be carefully characterized, to direct appropriate prophylactic therapy prior to release of new species for clinical use.

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