Hyaluronidase activity in leeches (Hirudinea).

The leech hyaluronoglucuronidase (hyaluronidase I) was identified in Erpobdellidae (Nephelopsis obscura and Erpobdella punctata) and Glossiphoniidae (Desserobdella picta) and historically described from Hirudinidae (Hirudo medicinalis). A second leech hyaluronidase (hyaluronidase II) which hydrolyzed only a few bonds to for hyaluronan oligosaccharides larger than 6500 Da, was found in Glossiphoniidae (Helobdella stagnalis, Glossiphonia complanata, Placobdella ornata, and Theromyzon sp.) and in Haemopidae (Haemopis marmorata). The distribution of the two hyaluronidases in leech occurred in both orders (Arhynchobdellida and Rhynchobdellida) and in macrophagous and haematophagous feeding types whereas the liquidosomatophagous leeches only had hyaluronidase II.