Rethinking antimicrobial prophylaxis in patients receiving medicinal leech therapy.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

To describe challenges in the management of prophylaxis against infections for patients receiving medicinal leech therapy given changes in antimicrobial resistance patterns in the normal flora of leeches.

SUMMARY:

This article presents a patient case of reconstructive surgery complicated by infection associated with the use of medicinal leeches, as well as a discussion of prophylaxis in medicinal leech therapy, focusing on considerations for choosing a prophylactic agent.

CONCLUSION:

Our case report highlights resistance changes in Aeromonas isolates associated with medicinal leeches and the potential for complications if isolates resistant to chosen prophylactic agents arise. When administering antimicrobial prophylaxis in patients receiving medicinal leech therapy, clinicians should be familiar with the susceptibilities of Aeromonas species but also conscious of evolving antimicrobial resistance given the extent of the consequences of infected surgical grafts.

• Authors: James Andrew McCracken, Steven M Koehler, Roopali Sharma
• Journal: American journal of health-system pharmacy : AJHP : official journal of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (Am J Health Syst Pharm) Vol. 79 Issue 1 Pg. e14-e19 (Jan 01 2022) ISSN: 1535-2900 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 34390241 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)
• Copyright: © American Society of Health-System Pharmacists 2021. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: [email protected].

Chemical References

• Anti-Bacterial Agents

Topics

• Animals
• Anti-Bacterial Agents
• Ethnicity
• Humans
• Leeches
• Leeching