Not every leech is suitable for leech therapy. Only leeches specially bred for this purpose in isolated laboratory conditions, which have had no contact whatsoever with the external environment and were fed controlled, can be applied to the body. Only then can we be sure that they are disease-free and that the treatment involving them is safe for the health and life of the patient.
The suitable species of leeches for leech therapy
There are several hundred species of leeches, but not all have found therapeutic use. Many different species belong to the medical leeches group, which is used for treatment worldwide. In Poland, however, the medical leech Hirudo verbena is most popular for a simple reason – this species, unlike others, is not under species protection, so no permission from the Ministry of Environmental Protection is needed for its purchase. Moreover, applying Hirudo verbana leeches brings genuinely good results, which matters most to us.
Leeches from laboratory breeding
Specially developed and optimally adjusted methods of breeding medical leeches in isolated conditions guarantee their high quality and safety for use in leech therapy. The ability to regulate reproduction in the laboratory has moved away from the periodicity of the leeches’ biological cycle, allowing them to lay cocoons several times a year.
How are leeches fed? The creatures are fed in a controlled manner, using blood from animals vetted by veterinarians or a particular blood substitute preparation. This ensures the leeches’ proper growth and reproduction and guarantees the production of valuable hirudin compounds.
Once leeches reach the appropriate size, they are starved for about six months. Only after this period are they sold. Strict adherence to the rules of breeding leeches in the laboratory ensures they are healthy and free from bacteria. Only such leeches are safe for humans and can be used for treatment.
Applying leeches of unknown origin can have unpleasant consequences. Instead of improving health, we can even worsen it. There’s a high risk of disease transmission or infection.
Certificate confirming the origin of leeches
When buying leeches, asking for a certificate confirming their origin is worthwhile. A reputable company, with nothing to hide, will readily guarantee that the leeches it supplies are bred, adhering to all safety rules and having no contact with the external world. Such leeches can be safely used for leech therapy.
Why leeches without certificates pose a health risk?
The market does not lack medical leeches sourced from illegal fishing in the natural environment or breeding conducted in open water bodies. Under such conditions, there is no way to regulate the habitat’s physicochemical and microbiological parameters or control feeding.
Particular attention deserves the way such leeches are fed. Their bodies regularly receive blood from insects, birds, and rodents, which may carry various diseases. Therefore, leeches are a potential source of infections with viral, bacterial, parasitic, and zoonotic diseases. Applying them to humans could also cause poisoning.
How to handle purchased leeches?
Laboratory leeches are most often delivered in plastic bags filled with hydrogel. Hydrogel is an exceptional agent that allows the transport of leeches under safe conditions.
Following the rules for proper storage is essential to keeping leeches in good condition for an extended period. Therefore, immediately after receiving the leeches, they should be removed from the bag and placed in a glass or plastic container filled 2/3 with water.
The container with leeches should be tightly sealed, but it’s necessary to ensure that air can freely access it. For this purpose, holes should be made in the lid, preferably with a pin.
The holes must be really small, as the creatures could try to escape through larger openings – after all, they have very elastic bodies. Finally, the container can be covered with an air-permeable material, such as gauze.
Storing leeches
As mentioned, the container with leeches should be filled with water. Chlorine-free water is suitable for storing leeches, as chlorine harms them. Therefore, it’s best to add a special preparation to the water before pouring it over the leeches, adjusting the water composition to the medical leeches’ needs. Such a preparation can be ordered along with the leeches.
The water for the leeches should be changed every 3-4 days to prevent it from getting dirty. At most, 20 leeches should be placed per 1 litre of water. The optimal temperature for storing leeches ranges from 5°C to 20°C. Therefore, they can be successfully stored in the refrigerator.
What to do with leeches after the procedure?
This rule must be strictly followed: A leech can only be used for a procedure on one person. Otherwise, there could be a risk of disease transmission. Additionally, leeches should only be used once, and after the completed procedure, they should be euthanized in 7 – 40% alcohol and then disposed of in a specialized disposal facility.