Hirudo

Introduction

A genus of leeches, of which several species had been previously used in medicine. The practice of leeches has been complicated by wound infections, myonecrosis & sepsis from Aeromonas hydrophilia which colonizes the gut of commercially available leeches.

More general terms

• Gnathobdellidae (includes Hiruda [medicinal leeches])

More specific terms

• Hirudo australis (Australian leech)
• Hirudo decora (American leech)
• Hirudo interupta (Hirudo troctina)
• Hirudo medicinalis (speckled, Swedish or German leech)
• Hirudo provincialis (green or Hungarian leech)
• Hirudo quinquestriata (five-striped leech)