This second paper to be published in the Wounds veterinary wounds department [Cupp MS, Swaim SF, Amalsadvala T, et al. Use of a recombinant vasoactive protein (rSVEP) to enhance healing of surgically created wounds. WOUNDS 2004;16(3):85–90] provides a good example of the way in which research into the management of animal wounds mirrors that of research into problems associated with the management of wounds in humans.

The authors describe the validation under experimental conditions of an innovative hypothesis illustrating the improvement in wound healing of surgically created wounds in the skin of beagle dogs after administration of a novel recombinant protein (rSVEP). rSVEP is derived from a protein isolated from the salivary glands of the black fly, Simulium vittatum, and is known to increase vertebrate blood flow. This increased blood flow minimizes both necrosis and the risk of infection by allowing increased delivery to the affected area of oxygen together with the platelets, neutrophils, fibroblasts, and macrophages essential for wound healing. The results of this study do show a trend to support the hypothesis, but the small number of experimental animals involved means that further research usefully could be undertaken to confirm these experimental observations. We shall look forward to the results of further evaluations to reinforce the validation of this interesting hypothesis.

This phenomenon reflects that observed in human wound management after the use of medicinal leeches. Medicinal leeches have been applied to congested or inflamed parts of the human body for over 2000 years.1 Over 650 species of leeches are known, and their multiple curative effects are due to components in their saliva. Hirudin is the principle anticoagulant in leech saliva and is now produced by recombinant DNA technology.2 The main indication for their use today is in plastic and reconstructive surgery3 where they are applied to treat venous insufficiency in salvageable tissue with intact arterial perfusion. It is known that the anticoagulant effects of hirudin help to relieve venous congestion and improve blood flow to compromised tissue flaps. It has also been shown that during leech therapy, which can last up to five days in many instances, new veins may grow into the reconstructed region from surrounding healthy tissue thereby helping to re-establish efficient blood drainage.

It can be seen from the above that there are indeed many parallels in research being undertaken in human and animal wound management. Further evaluation of rSVEP, as well as ongoing research into hirudin and other proteins involved in the anticoagulant action of leeches, together with identification of those proteolytic enzymes responsible for the actions of maggots (increasingly being applied to chronic wounds and ulcers), will inevitably see an increase in the use of these unconventional materials in wound management as they are both cost effective and efficient. It also means that those who have hitherto regarded such treatments with skepticism should start to regard them as serious options for the management of both acute and chronic animal and human wounds.