A Comprehensive Review of Hirudiniasis: From Historic Uses of Leeches to Modern Treatments of Their Bites

Joslin, Jeremy; Biondich, Amy Sue; Walker, Kathryn; Zanghi, Nicole

doi:10.1016/j.wem.2017.08.002

Cited by 24 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 58 publications

(195 reference statements)

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“…Proper removal of leeches should aim to first incapacitate the leech (commonly with a simple saltwater solution) and then combine gentle traction and a flat object to break suction with the skin attachment (eg, tongue depressor). 33 Leeches without size increase or visible gut peristalsis within 30 minutes after application are likely inactive and should be removed and replaced to facilitate the best outcome. 29 As part of their therapeutic purpose, bite wounds are expected to passively ooze for up to 24 hours after leech removal (Fig.…”

Section: Removalmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Comprehensive Review of Medicinal Leeches in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Hackenberger

Janis

2019

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery - Global Open

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Medicinal leeches are a US Food and Drug Administration-approved treatment for venous congestion in graft tissue to promote healing and can serve as a nonsurgical option for plastic surgery patients with concern for tissue compromise. Although there is a wealth of documentation on medicinal leech therapy, the surgical space currently lacks an updated summary of proper indications, use, and risks as they pertain to plastic surgical patients. The purpose of this article is to provide a platform for understanding the recent literature as it relates to reconstruction to improve understanding of indications and necessary considerations in using hirudotherapy. Topics examined include basics of hirudotherapy, indications in plastic surgery, implementation (leech application, number and duration of therapy, and removal), risks (infection and bleeding), and alternative treatments. The evidence provided will aid in physician understanding and implementation, patient counseling, and the informed consent process.

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Section: Removalmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Comprehensive Review of Medicinal Leeches in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Hackenberger

Janis

2019

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery - Global Open

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“…Leeches are segmented parasitic or predatory worms that belong to the phylum Annelida and the subclass Hirudinea with the ability to extend or contract their bodies [ 1 – 3 ]. Most leeches live in freshwater environments, while some species can be found in terrestrial and marine environments.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The genome of medicinal leech (Whitmania pigra) and comparative genomic study for exploration of bioactive ingredients

et al. 2022

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Background Leeches are classic annelids that have a huge diversity and are closely related to people, especially medicinal leeches. Medicinal leeches have been widely utilized in medicine based on the pharmacological activities of their bioactive ingredients. Comparative genomic study of these leeches enables us to understand the difference among medicinal leeches and other leeches and facilitates the discovery of bioactive ingredients. Results In this study, we reported the genome of Whitmania pigra and compared it with Hirudo medicinalis and Helobdella robusta. The assembled genome size of W. pigra is 177 Mbp, close to the estimated genome size. Approximately about 23% of the genome was repetitive. A total of 26,743 protein-coding genes were subsequently predicted. W. pigra have 12346 (46%) and 10295 (38%) orthologous genes with H. medicinalis and H. robusta, respectively. About 20 and 24% genes in W. pigra showed syntenic arrangement with H. medicinalis and H. robusta, respectively, revealed by gene synteny analysis. Furthermore, W. pigra, H. medicinalis and H. robusta expanded different gene families enriched in different biological processes. By inspecting genome distribution and gene structure of hirudin, we identified a new hirudin gene g17108 (hirudin_2) with different cysteine patterns. Finally, we systematically explored and compared the active substances in the genomes of three leech species. The results showed that W. pigra and H. medicinalis exceed H. robusta in both kinds and gene number of active molecules. Conclusions This study reported the genome of W. pigra and compared it with other two leeches, which provides an important genome resource and new insight into the exploration and development of bioactive molecules of medicinal leeches.

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“…The anterior suckers in some species are modified to form well-developed three muscular jaws which are Y-shaped. The jaws are armed with a series of teeth-like structures which pierce the host's body surface during feeding [3][4][5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hirudiniasis in Cattle in Mpwapwa District, Dodoma Region of Tanzania

Mulilo

Siwila

Madoshi³

et al. 2020

Case Reports in Veterinary Medicine

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Hirudiniasis is a condition caused by infestation by leeches. Despite the annoyance, clinical signs, and associated lesions caused by leeches in both humans and animals, the extent of the problem in Tanzania is not well elucidated. Individual animals and people become infested when they drink, bath, or walk through contaminated water sources. Leech infestations are more common in rural areas where water is scarce especially during the dry season. In this report, clinical cases of hirudiniasis in twenty-seven (27) cattle in Mpwapwa, Tanzania, are presented. The report further reviews the morphological features of leeches and creates awareness among the affected cattle farmers and the general public. A total of two hundred (200) live cattle were examined; out of these, 27 cattle had live leeches. There were, on average, 3–8 leeches per animal. Affected cattle had wounds on the gums, buccal mucosa, root of the tongue, and under the tongue with copious amounts of blood-stained frothy discharge. Further, the affected animals had respiratory distress and were rolling their tongues. The leeches were manually removed from all the affected cattle, with uneventful recovery. Laboratory examination revealed segmented, dorsal-ventral flattened, cylindrical parasites which had posterior and anterior suckers. The leech infestation was linked to drinking water from a pond which was suspected to be contaminated with “undescribed organisms” as indicated by the farmers. A follow-up was made and revealed no new cases and complete recovery of the affected animals. Hirudiniasis is one of the neglected diseases in humans and livestock and, therefore, requires integrated efforts especially in areas where water is scarce during the dry season. It is anticipated that this case report will stimulate interest and more studies in the subject matter to understand the extent of the problem and document the species and distribution of leeches in Tanzania.

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A Comprehensive Review of Hirudiniasis: From Historic Uses of Leeches to Modern Treatments of Their Bites

Cited by 24 publications

References 58 publications

A Comprehensive Review of Medicinal Leeches in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

A Comprehensive Review of Medicinal Leeches in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

The genome of medicinal leech (Whitmania pigra) and comparative genomic study for exploration of bioactive ingredients

Hirudiniasis in Cattle in Mpwapwa District, Dodoma Region of Tanzania

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