Scientific Name(s): Hirudo medicinalis L. Phylum: Annelida.
Common Name(s): Fresh water leech, Medicinal leech
Common Name(s): Fresh water leech, Medicinal leech
Apr 21, 2017 Leech therapy’s effect on blood clotting during and after these surgeries helps the body to heal more naturally and completely. Leech therapy’s benefits for blood circulation has also led some. Feb 25, 2019 'The sun rose in a cloudless sky, the same as before. We passed a large island without grass or tree or bush. The sun was a leech that sucked the moisture from our flesh.' (Scott O'Dell, The King's Fifth. Houghton Mifflin, 1966) 'She called him a leech, said he's always sponging off the rest of us.' (Swati Kaushal, A Girl Like Me. Penguin, 2008). Leech.Ninja is here to help you to download premium hosted files We're launching Leech.Ninja premium download link generation service. Leech.Ninja is powered by PremiumLeech engine. Leech definition is - any of numerous carnivorous or bloodsucking usually freshwater annelid worms (class Hirudinea) that have typically a flattened lanceolate segmented body with a sucker at each end.
Historically, leech collectors would wade in leech-infested waters collecting these as they allowed the leeches to attach themselves to their legs. The problem with these leeches is they carry in their gut the bacteria Aeromonas hydrophilia, which can be passed to the patient during therapy and cause pneumonia, septicaemia or gastroenteritis.
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 24, 2020.
Clinical Overview
Use
Leeches have been used for bloodletting, wound healing, and stimulating blood flow at postsurgical sites. Use in osteoarthritis is being investigated, but there is a lack of clinical information to make recommendations.
Dosing
Consult existing guidelines for the use of leeches.
Contraindications
Arterial insufficiency, previous exposure to leeches (risk of allergic reaction), immunosuppression (risk of infection), patient refusal to accept possible subsequent blood transfusions, and unstable medical conditions have been described as contraindications for extensive leech therapy.
Pregnancy/Lactation
Information regarding safety in pregnancy and lactation is lacking. Avoid use because of risk of infection and anemia.
Interactions
None well documented.
Adverse Reactions
Extensive blood loss. Allergic reactions and infections may develop.
Toxicology
No data.
Biology
There are more than 700 species of leeches, all of which are carnivorous.1 The leech is an hermaphrodite, containing both male and female sexual organs, but is not self-fertile.
Leeches
The use of medicinal leeches (H. medicinalis) is preferred because of their ability to bite deeply and cause prolonged bleeding even after they are detached. H. medicinalis can reach up to 12 cm long, but is generally smaller, weighing 1 to 1.5 g before feeding. H. medicinalis has both anterior and posterior suckers, with the head located at the narrow tapered end. The anterior sucker has 3 jaws, each with 60 to 100 teeth for biting. The posterior sucker is used for attachment and crawling.1
Leeches obtained from commercial breeders are easily maintained in a chlorine-free salt solution at 10° to 20°C. Under such conditions, leeches can survive for up to 18 months.
History
The medicinal use of leeches dates back to ancient Egyptians around 1300 BC; the Greek physician Galen (130 to 201 AD) commonly used leeches for bloodletting. The 19th century heralded the widespread use of leeches for bloodletting—leading to a leech shortage from 1825 to 1850 in France requiring the importation of leeches from America.1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 By the end of the 19th century, the medicinal use of leeches had lost popularity due to adoption of the modern concepts of pathology and microbiology.1
Chemistry
Different species of leeches secrete varying compounds with differing hematological actions.7, 8
Following attachment, H. medicinalis secretes hirudin, a selective thrombin inhibitor, which enhances bleeding and prevents coagulation.1, 9, 10 Hirudin was first described more than a century ago and characterized as a 65-amino acid peptide with antithrombokinase activity.1 Early therapeutic studies of hirudin were limited by low natural yield, but the compound has recently been produced in larger quantities by recombinant gene techniques.11, 12 Recombinant hirudin binds avidly to thrombin, thus low doses inhibit venous thrombosis in animals. Extracts from leeches have been marketed in creams for topical application. In addition to hirudin, leeches secrete hirustasin, which selectively inhibits tissue kallikreins; antistasin and ghilanten, which inhibit Factor Xa; calin, apyrase, and saratin, which inhibit platelet aggregation; a histamine-like compound, which causes vasodilation; hyaluronidase and collagenase, which increase permeability; and bdellin and eglin, which are proteinase inhibitors.1, 10, 13, 14
There is conflicting evidence as to whether an anesthetic is secreted in H. medicinalis.4, 15, 16 Theromyzon is widely distributed in the tissue of the leech Theromyzon tessulatum and has angiotensin-converting, enzyme-like properties8 and peptides with antimicrobial properties have been identified.17
Undefined anti-inflammatory substances in the saliva of medicinal leeches have been reported.18, 19
Uses and Pharmacology
Ischemic tissue
Medicinal leeches are used to stimulate the flow of blood at postoperative surgical sites.2, 15, 16
![Leeches Leeches](/uploads/1/3/4/1/134125734/465259702.jpg)
After attaching to the site, leeches secrete compounds, especially hirudin, that reduce blood viscosity. They provide the drainage needed to permit decongestion and to preserve tissue viability until normal venous flow is established.16, 20
Reviews of the use of 'hirudotherapy' in localized venous congestion or hematoma have been published; most commonly, only case reports exist in the literature.18, 21, 22
Other uses
Based on reported anti-inflammatory substances in the saliva of medicinal leeches, a number of clinical studies have evaluated the role of leeches in osteoarthritis.18, 19 Blinding of participants is problematic in such studies and comparators have used transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)23 and topical diclofenac.24 A meta-analysis of clinical studies (n=4) reported moderate to strong evidence for pain reduction, functional impairment, and joint stiffness following leech therapy.19
Dosing
Institutional guidelines may exist for the use of leeches. Leeches are applied from 2 to 4 times a day for up to a week. Feeding is complete in about 20 minutes, at which time the leech drops off. Removal of the leech may be hastened by applying solutions of salt, vinegar, a flame, or a local anesthetic. Leeches should not be forcibly removed. Bleeding from the attachment site usually continues for several hours. Reuse of leeches is discouraged to minimize the development of cross-infection.1, 20, 25, 26
Pregnancy / Lactation
Information regarding safety in pregnancy and lactation is lacking. Avoid use due to risk of infection and anemia.
Interactions
None well documented. Closely monitor conditions requiring concomitant anticoagulant therapy.
Leech Therapy
One study found no changes in ipsilateral activated partial thromboplastin or prothrombin times when leeches were applied to an intact hand. This suggests that systemic or local anticoagulation is not likely to occur and that the risk of interference with other therapies may be small.27
Adverse Reactions
Arterial insufficiency, previous exposure to leeches (risk of allergic reaction), immunosuppression (risk of infection), patient refusal to accept possible subsequent blood transfusions, and unstable medical conditions have been described as contraindications for extensive leech therapy.9
Blood loss
Leeches may consume up to 50 mL blood per application, and their secretions during a single feed can prevent coagulation (in vitro) of up to 100 mL human blood. Passive bleeding after detachment can continue up to 72 hours but most commonly continues for about 5 hours. Blood loss may occur, sometimes requiring transfusions.18, 28
Infection
H. medicinalis should be considered a possible vector of infectious diseases. The incidence of infection consequent to leech therapy ranges from 2% to 20%.21, 22
The gram-negative Aeromonas hydrophilia is the predominant microbial species found in leeches.1, 9, 29, 30 Serratia, Klebsiella, and Pseudomonas have also been isolated10, 31, 32, 33, 34 and patients should receive appropriate prophylactic antibiotic therapy. Older studies suggested possible transmission of HIV and hepatitis, but this is less likely with the use of farmed leeches.22, 35 Reuse of leeches is not recommended due to concerns of disease transmission.4
Other
Local allergic reactions and anaphylaxis have been reported.36 Leeches found in the nose, throat, and the GI tract have caused complications.37, 38, 39, 40
Toxicology
No data.
References
1. Whitaker IS, Cheung CK, Chahal CA, Karoo RO, Gulati A, Foo IT. By what mechanism do leeches help to salvage ischaemic tissues? A review. Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2005;43(2):155-160.157492172. Hayden RE, Phillips JG, McLear PW. Leeches. Objective monitoring of altered perfusion in congested flaps. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1988;114(12):1395-1399.31908663. Rao J, Whitaker IS. Use of Hirudo medicinalis by maxillofacial surgical units in the United Kingdom: current views and practice. Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2003;41(1):54-55.4. Whitaker IS, Izadi D, Oliver DW, Monteath G, Butler PE. Hirudo medicinalis and the plastic surgeon. Br J Plast Surg. 2004;57(4):348-353.151457395. Ventura HO, Mehra MR. Bloodletting as a cure for dropsy: heart failure down the ages. J Card Fail. 2005;11(4):247-252.158803326. Hodgson D. Of gods and leeches: treatment of priapism in the nineteenth century. J R Soc Med. 2003;96(11):562-565.145949727. Ledizet M, Harrison LM, Koskia RA, Cappello M. Discovery and pre-clinical development of antithrombotics from hematophagous invertebrates. Curr Med Chem Cardiovasc Hematol Agents. 2005;3(1):1-10.8. Rivière G, Michaud A, Deloffre L, et al. Characterization of the first non-insect invertebrate functional angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE): leech TtACE resembles the N-domain of mammalian ACE. Biochem J. 2004;382(pt 2):565-573.151750049. Chepeha DB, Nussenbaum B, Bradford CR, Teknos TN. Leech therapy for patients with surgically unsalvageable venous obstruction after revascularized free tissue transfer. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2002;128(8):960-965.1216277910. Dippenaar R, Smith J, Goussard P, Walters E. Meningococcal purpura fulminans treated with medicinal leeches. Pediatr Crit Care Med. 2006;7(5):476-478.1687804911. Wallis RB. Hirudins and the role of thrombin: lessons from leeches. Trends in Pharmacol Sci. 1988;9(12):425-427.307808112. Hand R, et al. A review of the pharmacology, clinical applications, and toxicology of hirudin and hirulog. Transgenica: J Clin Biotechnol. 1994;1:1.817222513. Deckmyn H, Stassen JM, Vreys I, Van Houtte E, Sawyer RT, Vermylen J. Calin from Hirudo medicinalis, an inhibitor of platelet adhesion to collagen, prevents platelet-rich thrombosis in hamsters. Blood. 1995;85(3):712-719.783347514. Harsfalvi J, Stassen JM, Hoylaerts MF, et al. Calin from Hirudo medicinalis, an inhibitor of von Willebrand factor binding to collagen under static and flow conditions. Blood. 1995;85(3):705-711.783347415. Baskova IP, Khalil S, Nartikova VF, Paskhina TS. Inhibition of plasma kallikrein, kininase and kinin-like activities of preparations from the medicinal leech. Thrombosis Research. 1992;67(6):721-730.144053716. Rados C. Beyond bloodletting: FDA gives leeches a medical makeover. FDA Consum. 2004;38(5):9.1559514117. Salzet M. Neuropeptide-derived antimicrobial peptides from invertebrates for biomedical applications. Curr Med Chem. 2005;12(26):3055-3061.1637570018. Porshinsky BS, Saha S, Grossman MD, Beery Ii PR, Stawicki SP. Clinical uses of the medicinal leech: a practical review. J Postgrad Med. 2011;57(1):65-71.2120611519. Lauche R, Cramer H, Langhorst J, Dobos G. A systematic review and meta-analysis of medical leech therapy for osteoarthritis of the knee. Clin J Pain. 2014;30(1):63-72.2344606920. Abrutyn E. Hospital-associated infection from leeches. Ann Intern Med. 1988;109(5):356-358.304421021. Elyassi AR, Terres J, Rowshan HH. Medicinal leech therapy on head and neck patients: a review of literature and proposed protocol. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol. 2013;116(3):e167-e172.2281946222. O'Dempsey T. Leeches--the good, the bad and the wiggly. Paediatr Int Child Health. 2012;32(suppl 2):S16-S20.2339475423. Stange R, Moser C, Hopfenmueller W, et al. Randomised controlled trial with medical leeches for osteoarthritis of the knee. Complement Ther Med. 2012;20(1-2):1-7.2230524224. Michalsen A, Klotz S, Lüdtke R, Moebus S, Spahn G, Dobos GJ. Effectiveness of leech therapy in osteoarthritis of the knee: a randomized, controlled trial. Ann Intern Med. 2003;139(9):724-730.1459745625. Adams SL. The emergency management of a medicinal leech bite. Ann Emerg Med. 1989;18(3):316-319.292334026. Rao P, Bailie FB, Bailey BN. Leechmania in microsurgery. Practitioner. 1985;229(1408):901-905.405917027. Blackshear JL, Ebener MK. Leeching, hirudin, and coagulation tests. Ann Intern Med. 1994;121(2):151-152.801773528. Ikizceli I, Avsarogullari L, Sözüer E, Yürümez Y, Akdur O. Bleeding due to a medicinal leech bite. Emerg Med J. 2005;22(6):458-460.1591196529. Ardehali B, Hand K, Nduka C, Holmes A, Wood S. Delayed leech-borne infection with Aeromonas hydrophilia in escharotic flap wound. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2006;59(1):94-95.1648279630. Steer A, Daley AJ, Curtis N. Suppurative sequelae of symbiosis. Lancet. 2005;365(9454):188.1563930331. Dickson WA, Boothman P, Hare K. An unusual source of hospital wound infection. Brit Med J. 1984;289(6465):1727-1728.644062332. Kourt B, Segars LW, Davis TW. When the prescription says 'leeches.' Am J Hosp Pharm. 1994;51(17):2113-2114, 2116.798568533. Bickel KD, Lineaweaver WC, Follansbee S, Feibel R, Jackson R, Buncke HJ. Intestinal flora of the medicinal leech Hirudinaria manillensis. J Reconstr Microsurg. 1994;10(2):83-85.818256934. Wilken GB, Appleton CC. Bacteriological investigation of the occurrence and antibiotic sensitivities of the gut-flora of the potential southern African medicinal leech, Asiaticobdella buntonensis (Hirudinidae). J Hosp Infect. 1993;23(3):223-228.809909635. Nehili M, Ilk C, Mehlhorn H, Ruhnau K, Dick W, Njayou M. Experiments on the possible role of leeches as vectors of animal and human pathogens: a light and electron microscopy study. Parasitol Res. 1994;80(4):277-290.807301336. Tseng CC, Ho CY. Removal of a nasal leech: a safe and effective method. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2005;132(5):814-815.1588664437. Bergua A, Vizmanos F, Monzón FJ, Blasco RM. Unavoidable epistaxis in the nasal infection of leeches [in Spanish]. Acta Otorrinolaringol Esp. 1993;44(5):391-393.812997738. Uygur K, Yasan H, Yavuz L, Dogru H. Removal of a laryngeal leech: A safe and effective method. Am J Otolaryngol. 2003;24(5):338-340.1313044839. Kuehnemund M, Bootz F. Rare living hypopharyngeal foreign body. Head Neck. 2006; 28(11):1046-1048.1693331440. Krüger C, Malleyeck I, Olsen OH. Aquatic leech infestation: a rare cause of severe anaemia in an adolescent Tanzanian girl. Eur J Pediatr. 2004;163(6):297-299.15346909
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Leech Lake
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Further information
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The words leach and leech are homophones: they sound alike but have different meanings.
Definitions
The verbleach means to empty, drain, or remove.
The nounleech refers to a bloodsucking worm or to a person who preys on or clings to another. As a verb, leech means to bleed with leeches or to act as a parasite.
Examples
- Batteries are difficult to dispose of and contain harmful heavy-metal compounds that may leach into the soil.
- 'The river water was more corrosive than the Detroit system's and caused more lead to leach from its aging pipes. Lead can be toxic, and children are especially vulnerable.'
(Reuters, 'Michigan Attorney General Sues France's Veolia in Flint Water Crisis.' The New York Times, June 22, 2016) - Similar to bloodletting, leeches were used to draw out the 'bad blood' that medieval physicians believed caused many of their patients' ailments.
- 'The sun rose in a cloudless sky, the same as before. We passed a large island without grass or tree or bush. The sun was a leech that sucked the moisture from our flesh.'
(Scott O'Dell, The King's Fifth. Houghton Mifflin, 1966) - 'She called him a leech, said he's always sponging off the rest of us.'
(Swati Kaushal, A Girl Like Me. Penguin, 2008)
Idiom Alerts
The expression leach away (something) or leach (something) away means to gradually erode or wash away.
- 'Normally the excess salt would be leached away as rainwater percolates down through the soil. In dry climates, however, where there isn't enough rain or irrigation to drive the water down that far, salts can accumulate in the root zone.'
(Ann Larkin Hansen, The Organic Farming Manual. Storey, 2010)
- 'Nathan? Are you awake?' The sweetness quickly leached away at the touch of Roiphe's nasal voice, leaving a sourness tinged with anxiety, which, Nathan understood, was his default reaction to Roiphe.'
(David Cronenberg, Consumed. Scribner, 2014)
- 'Normally the excess salt would be leached away as rainwater percolates down through the soil. In dry climates, however, where there isn't enough rain or irrigation to drive the water down that far, salts can accumulate in the root zone.'
(Ann Larkin Hansen, The Organic Farming Manual. Storey, 2010)
- 'Nathan? Are you awake?' The sweetness quickly leached away at the touch of Roiphe's nasal voice, leaving a sourness tinged with anxiety, which, Nathan understood, was his default reaction to Roiphe.'
(David Cronenberg, Consumed. Scribner, 2014)
Practice: Leaches or Leeches?
(a) 'It's not pollution that makes the water so black; tannic acid naturally _____ into the river from cypress and pine trees growing along the shoreline.' (Bruce Hunt)
(b) In modern medicine, _____ are used in reconstructive surgery to provide a vacuum effect that helps stimulate blood circulation.
(b) In modern medicine, _____ are used in reconstructive surgery to provide a vacuum effect that helps stimulate blood circulation.
Answers to Practice Exercises
![Leech therapy Leech therapy](/uploads/1/3/4/1/134125734/820350820.jpg)
Trappers Landing Leech Lake
(a) 'It's not pollution that makes the water so black; tannic acid naturally leaches into the river from cypress and pine trees growing along the shoreline.'
(Bruce Hunt)
(b) In modern medicine, leeches are used in reconstructive surgery to provide a vacuum effect that helps stimulate blood circulation.
(Bruce Hunt)
(b) In modern medicine, leeches are used in reconstructive surgery to provide a vacuum effect that helps stimulate blood circulation.