Evidence-based approach to Jaloukavacharana with special reference to Aeromonas species: a case series

Jalukavacharana (medicinal leech therapy) is a time-tested bloodletting therapy employed to treat inflammatory, ischemic, and infectious diseases. Aeromonas spp., commonly found in the leech’s gut, is known to cause two major diseases: gastroenteritis and wound infections (with or without bacteremia). In cases such as diabetes mellitus where the patient can be immuno-compromised, the possibility of complications through leech therapy and Aeromonas spp. is high. The current study was carried out on five subjects, indicated for Jalukavacharana. The blood culture was studied, and the vomitus of a Jalouka (leech) post Jaloukavacharna (medicinal leech therapy) was obtained to rule out the presence of any pathogenic bacteria, especially Aeromonas spp. Five subjects who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were treated with Jaloukavacharna under all the therapeutic precautions, and then blood samples were collected and sent for blood culture and sensitivity analyses to confirm the presence of Aeromonas species in these samples, and one leech vomitus blood sample has been studied for the presence of the same. All the five blood samples tested negative for any pathogenic organism, including the Aeromoans spp., and the leech vomitus blood sample tested positive for Aeromonas spp. From the aforementioned case series, it is evident that though the leech vomitus contained the pathogenic gut bacteria Aeromonas spp., all the blood samples of the study subjects tested negative for the same, indicating that the proper practice of Jaloukavacharna (medicinal leech therapy) according to the classics can help us prevent the complications of leech therapy from affecting the individual.