其他摘要：The European medicinal leech was for centuries important component of therapy and it has direct application also in modern medicine. Many protease inhibitors were purified from leech saliva, and Hirudo medicinalis Linnaeus, 1758 has been approved as a prescription medical device in some countries. Due to its potential application, medicinal leaches are permanently captured from nature, however the main threat is associated with the destruction of habitats, changes of water regime, climatic changes and dessication of marshes. The comeback of use of leeches in modern medicine (microsurgeries, such as plastic and reconstructive surgeries) and reclamation of wetlands emphasize the need of effective monitoring and protection. While there are only few sites where medicinal leech has been recorded or mentioned during last decade in Slovakia (all of the in southern lowland regions), an affective inventory and monitoring programme is necessary for species conservation with following priorities: (1) Confirming the current distribution of the medicinal leech in Slovakia; (2) Provision of appropriate advice to maintain the remaining populations. Attempts to restore the fragmented populations could include (a) establishing the satellite populations close to potentially vulnerable sites where the medicinal leech currently occurs; (b) reintroduction at other suitable localities, to secure the continuing presence of the medicinal leech in Slovakia.
