Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 20, 2026
Multiplex Therapeutic Drug Monitoring by Isotope-dilution HPLC-MS/MS of Antibiotics in Critical Illnesses
Published on: August 30, 2018
Antimicrobial prophylaxis during Hirudo medicinalis therapy: a multicenter study
Rachel M Kruer1, Cassie A Barton2, Gregory Roberti2
1Department of Pharmacy, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland.
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.
More Related Videos
05:23Gastric Mucosa Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction Analysis for Detecting Helicobacter pylori and Antibiotic Resistance
Published on: March 7, 2025
06:49Reduced Itraconazole Concentration and Durations Are Successful in Treating Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis Infection in Amphibians
Published on: March 14, 2014
Related Concept Videos
01:16Treating Helicobacter pylori in Peptic Ulcers: Antimicrobial Therapy
01:26Peptic Ulcer Disease IV: Management
The therapeutic approach involves ensuring adequate rest, implementing drug therapy, promoting smoking cessation, making dietary modifications, and emphasizing long-term follow-up care.
Pharmacological management
The prevailing therapy for peptic ulcers involves a combination of managing the patient's current...
01:30Urinary Tract Infection III: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care
01:28Antimicrobial Effectiveness