Abstract
Prolongation of haemostatic parameters in the host achieved by hatchlingHirudo medicinalis differs quantitatively but not qualitatively from those achieved by adult leeches. The duration and the rate of blood loss from the bite wounds, the gain in body weight of leeches and the duration of feeding each increase with successive feeding episodes. The mean duration of bleeding from bite wounds of hatchling leeches feeding for the first time on human volunteers was 43 min compared to 6 min from control incisions and 600 min in adult leeches. The mean ‘whole body’ concentration of hirudin in 2-week-old hatchlings was 10 antithrombin units (AT-U) compared to 285 AT-U in the head of each adult leech.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bergmann C, Dodt J, Kohler S et al. (1986) Chemical synthesis and expression of a gene coding for hirudin, the thrombin-specific inhibitor from the leechHirudo medicinalis. Biol Chem Hoppe Seyler 367:731–740
Harvey RP, Gegryse E, Stefani L et al. (1986) Cloning and expression of a cDNA coding for the anticoagulant hirudin from the blood-sucking leechHirudo medicinalis. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 83:1084–1088
Munro R, Hechtel FDP, Sawyer RT (1989) Sustained bleeding after a leech bite in the apparent absence of hirudin. Thromb Haemost 61:366–369
Munro R, Powell-Jones C, Sawyer RT (1991) Calin — a platelet adhesion inhibitor from the saliva of the medicinal leech. Blood Coag Fibrin 2(1):179–184
Sawyer RT, Lepont F, Stuart DK et al. (1981) Growth and reproduction of the giant glossiphonid leechHaementeria ghilianii. Biol Bull 160:322–331
Sawyer RT (1986) Leech Biology and Behaviour, Vol II. Oxford University Press, Oxford, pp. 573–575
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Munro, R., Sawyer, R.T., Hechtel, F.O.P. et al. Sustained bleeding from bites of hatchling leeches. Comp Haematol Int 2, 27–29 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02984523
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02984523