Validation of medicinal leeches (Hirudo medicinalis) as a non-invasive blood sampling tool for hematology and biochemistry profiling in mammals

Kvapil, Pavel (author), Tomášek, Oldřich (author), Bártová, Eva (author), Harej, Mojca (author), Kastelic, Marjan (author), Primožič, Tit (author), Kašpárková, Nikola (author), Račnik, Joško (author)

Blood sampling is a challenging procedure in many captive animals. Although manual restraint or anesthesia are usually possible, they entail intense stress and a high risk of injuries or organ failure. Blood sampling using medicinal leeches (Hirudo medicinalis) represents a promising non-invasive alternative to venipuncture; however, leech blood meal was to date used only for qualitative analyses such as genetic or serological screenings. Hence, the aim of this study was to evaluate the suitability of the leech blood sampling method for quantification of hematological and biochemical parameters. Medicinal leeches were manually applied on 67 zoo animals of eleven species, and control blood samples were obtained by venipuncture of the jugular vein. The leeches drew up to 20ml of blood in 20 to 55min. Although most hematological and biochemical parameters were significantly altered in leech-derived samples, their values showed strong (r = 0.62–0.79; 10/24 parameters) to very strong (r > 0.8; 13/24 parameters) correlations with venipuncture in all blood parameters, except for sodium (r = 0.39). As the parameter alterations and correlations were similar among species, simple crossspecies regression formulas were sufficient to correct the alterations, thereby ensuring good repeatability between leeches and venipuncture in most parameters. Our data thus suggest that medicinal leeches can be used as a reliable non-invasive and stressreducing alternative to standard venipuncture, even for quantitative assays. This opens new opportunities for a significant improvement to animal welfare in zoological gardens, conservation programmes, and ecophysiological research, where quantification of blood parameters is often needed.

• Language: English
• Keywords: hematology, biochemistry, non-invasive blood sampling, medicinal leech, Hirudo medicinalis
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: VF - Veterinary Faculty
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Year: 2022
• Number of pages: 11 str.
• Numbering: Vol. 9, art. 831836
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-134850
• UDC: 636.09:616-07
• ISSN on article: 2297-1769
• DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.831836
• COBISS.SI-ID: 96337667
• Publication date in RUL: 04.02.2022

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Frontiers in veterinary science
• Shortened title: Front. vet. sci.
• Publisher: Frontiers Media
• ISSN: 2297-1769
• COBISS.SI-ID: 3969402

Licences

• License: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Description: This is the standard Creative Commons license that gives others maximum freedom to do what they want with the work as long as they credit the author.
• Licensing start date: 04.02.2022

Projects

• Funder: Other - Other funder or multiple funders
• Funding programme: University of Veterinary Science Brno
• Project number: FVHE/Literák/ITA2020

• Funder: Other - Other funder or multiple funders
• Funding programme: Czech Science Foundation
• Project number: GA21-22160S to OT