ABSTRACT FDA-approved, postoperative use of leeches can lead to bacterial infections. In
this study, we used culture-dependent and culture-independent approaches to characterize …

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 …

Hirudo medicinalis, the medicinal leech, is applied postoperatively in modern medicine.
Infections by Aeromonas occur in up to 20% of patients unless a preemptive antibiotic …

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 …

Culture-based studies of the microbial community within the gut of the medicinal leech have
typically been focused on various Aeromonas species, which were believed to be the sole …

Background: Hirudotherapy is often used successfully in modern medicine, especially in
plastic and reconstructive surgery. However, Aeromonas infections are the most common …

Medical leech therapy (MLT) with Hirudo medicinalis is well established as a treatment for
venous congestion of tissue flaps, grafts, and replants. Unfortunately, this treatment is …

There are trillions of microbes found throughout the human body and they exceed the
number of eukaryotic cells by 10-fold. Metagenomic studies have revealed that the majority …

Hirudo medicinalis, the medicinal leech, usually carries in its digestive tract a pure culture of
Aeromonas veronii bv. sobria. Such specificity is unusual for digestive tracts that are …

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 …