Study on the effect of medicinal leech therapy (Hirudo medicinalis) on full-thickness excisional wound healing in the animal model.

The possible impacts of alternative and conventional medicines on wound healing are now of growing interest. This study aimed to evaluate and elucidate the wound healing activity of medicinal leech therapy in wound excision of the rat model. After a round, full-thickness excision was made in the dorsal region of the body, the animals (n = 30) were randomly divided into three equal groups: I) the treatment group (MLT), where the wounds received leech treatment; II) the positive control group (PC), where the wounds received 1% sodium phenytoin treatment; and III) the negative control group (NC), where the wounds did not receive any treatment. On days 6 and 16, wound biopsy specimens were taken, and prepared sections were stained using various methods. The contraction rate differed significantly (P < 0.05) between the NC group and the other groups. The histopathological evaluation revealed that MLT group showed an accelerated healing process and lower inflammatory response compared to other groups. In ML-treated group maturation and remodeling of collagen had occurred, while in 1% sodium phenytoin treated group, proliferation was the prominent feature. Results showed that the fibroblast was significantly lower in the NC group in comparison to other groups. The number of MNC, s, and PMN, s was significantly higher in the NC group compared to other groups (P < 0.0001). In our study, medicinal leech therapy had a higher success rate in healing for the treatment of excisional wounds in animal models.

Brodifacoum toxicosis and abortion in an Arabian mare.

A 3-year-old pregnant Arabian mare was referred to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz with a history of bleeding and rodenticide ingestion. The results of paraclinical examinations showed severe normocytic and normochromic anemia, decreased serum total protein, albumin, and fibrinogen concentrations, increased serum total bilirubin, urea, and creatinine concentrations, as well as increased serum aspartate aminotransferase and creatine kinase activity. Three days after treatment, all the clinical signs were resolved, however, fetus abortion occurred. In order to confirm the suspected cause of abortion and toxicosis, high-performance liquid chromatography was performed on serum sample of mare and liver tissue of the aborted fetus and toxicosis was confirmed. Poisoning with brodifacoum is considered as an important and lethal poisoning for both human being and animals. To our knowledge, this is the first report of spontaneous toxicosis and abortion with brodifacoum. Brodifacoum toxicosis can be effectively managed with early diagnosis, good paraclinical examinations and appropriate treatment.