Leech Information Blog

Endosymbiosis Hirudo medicinalis has virtually an obligatory symbiotic relationship with the bacterium Aeromonas hydrophila (Pseudomonas hirudinis), the only species of bacteria which lives in its gut (Zirpolo 1923; Lehmensick 1941, 1942; Hornbostel 1941; Büsing 1951; Büsing et al. 1953; Wilde 1976; Jennings and Van der Lande 1967; Whitlock, O'Hare, Saunders and Morrow 1983). Aeromonas hydrophila is important in the life of H. medicinalis in several respects. 1. It secretes an antibiotic which prevents the growth of other bacteria and accordingly retards putrefaction so that blood can be stored for long periods. 2. It contributes enzymes which play a major role...

          The leech is an aquatic worm with a flattened body, tapering end terminating in circular flattened disc, the hinder one being larger of two. It swims with a vertical undulating motion and moves, when out of water by means of these discs or suckers, flattening itself first by one and then by other and alternately stretching out and contracting its body. The mouth is placed in the centre of the anterior disc and furnished with 3 cartilaginous lens shaped jaws. These jaws are lined at their edges with fine sharp teeth and meet so as...

     Holding your leeches only in a small fish tank or aquarium and using the special leech forceps carefully, so as not to hurt or injure them them,       To test the leeches' capacity and capabilities of performing leech therapy, check the following vital signs:       1. Pesence of a pronounced reflex contraction, i.e, when you touch the body, the leech becomes short, thick, firm and dense;      2) The should have a strong desire to crawl out of the vessel;      3) They should exert high level of activity: if the you lower your hand into the vessel, leechs immediately...