The microbiological test performed by the healthcare facility on the leeches used on the patient established presence of the bacteria aeromonas.The leech has a symbiotic relationship with the aeromonas bacteria, which is always present in the digestive tract and on tegument of leeches.Thus, infection due to aeromonas is a well-known effect of leech therapy requiring prophylactic administration of antibiotics.The risk of an infection by aeromonas and required precautionary measures are amply discussed in device labeling.However, in this case it has not been possible to establish when antibiotic treatment was administered--prior to leech therapy, at the start of leech therapy, or after the infection was detected.The issue is being investigated by the healthcare facility.It has also not been possible to establish the cause of the infection, since no additional testing for infectious agents was conducted by the healthcare facility neither on the leeches nor the infected flap.In accordance with verbal statement by second healthcare facility contact person (nurse), the infection was not due to nor caused by the leeches.Due to destruction of all leeches in stock at healthcare facility and patient treated and discharged prior to contacting leeches usa, no additional investigation is possible.Per the manufacturer, the leeches were subject to routine microbiological testing prior to release for commercial distribution and were found to conform to specs.No other reports of aeromonas infection have been received for the leech batch involved in this event.
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Per initial information from healthcare facility, a patient had flap surgery and leeches were applied to the flap.The patient developed an infection and was treated with ciprofloxacin.The infection cleared up and the patient was discharged, no harm done.Per second healthcare facility contact person (nurse), the infection was not due to nor caused by the leeches.
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