Infection risk related to the use of medicinal leeches.

Objective: To assess the incidence of postoperative wound infections related to treatment with medicinal leeches at Ghent University Hospital.

Method: A 2-year retrospective analysis of bacteriologic culture results of soft tissue infections in patients treated with medicinal leeches.

Results: Cultures of suspected wound infections were taken and susceptibility testing of isolates was performed on 17 of 47 patients (36.

Antifungal drugs and rational use of antifungals in treating invasive aspergillosis: the role of the hospital pharmacist.

Aim: This review discusses the most common used antifungal agents in the treatment of invasive fungal infections. In addition, guidelines for the treatment of invasive aspergillosis, as used in the Ghent University Hospital, are described. Moreover, the importance of determining the effectiveness of antifungal therapy as well as the potential role of the hospital pharmacist in the management of this infection is highlighted.