title: [Infections Associated with Treatment with Hirudo medicinalis - Report of Two Cases and Review of the Literature].
abstract: Medicinal leeches are well-established for promoting venous drainage in transplants/flaps and analgesia in osteoarthritis. Although medicinal leeches are bred and kept under controlled conditions, they are colonised by a genuine species-specific bacterial flora. Therapeutic application of leeches implies skin penetration carrying an a priori risk of infection. We report 2 cases with different indications for medicinal leech therapy. In both cases wound infection occurred in close temporal and spatial correlation or with evidence of a leech-associated germ that could be treated successfully. An unclarified complication rate warrants strict indications for the application of medicinal leeches. Preventive measures are currently tested.
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Chirurgie, Abteilung für Unfall- und Wiederherstellungschirurgie, Universitätsmedizin Greifswald, Ferdinand-Sauerbruch-Straße, Greifswald.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Reese
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Chirurgie, Abteilung für Unfall- und Wiederherstellungschirurgie, Universitätsmedizin Greifswald, Ferdinand-Sauerbruch-Straße, Greifswald.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gümbel
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Chirurgie, Abteilung für Unfall- und Wiederherstellungschirurgie, Universitätsmedizin Greifswald, Ferdinand-Sauerbruch-Straße, Greifswald.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Seifert
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Hautkrankheiten, Universitätsmedizin Greifswald, Ferdinand-Sauerbruch-Straße, Greifswald.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Daeschlein
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Chirurgie, Abteilung für Unfall- und Wiederherstellungschirurgie, Universitätsmedizin Greifswald, Ferdinand-Sauerbruch-Straße, Greifswald.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Napp
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Chirurgie, Abteilung für Unfall- und Wiederherstellungschirurgie, Universitätsmedizin Greifswald, Ferdinand-Sauerbruch-Straße, Greifswald.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ekkernkamp
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000333:Aeromonas; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D000843:Ankle Joint; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003161:Compartment Syndromes / Q000628:therapy*; D003288:Contusions / Q000628:therapy*; D004886:Erysipelas / Q000628:therapy* / Q000635:transmission; D005260:Female; D016905:Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / Q000628:therapy* / Q000635:transmission; D047709:Hirudo medicinalis / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D024763:Leeching / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007869:Leg Injuries / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D060051:Occupational Injuries / Q000628:therapy*; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000628:therapy*; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000628:therapy*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000628:therapy* / Q000635:transmission
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents