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Related Experiment Videos

Haematemesis due to leech infestation.

M E el-Awad1, K Patil

  • 1Department of Paediatrics, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Abha, Saudi Arabia.

Annals of Tropical Paediatrics
|March 1, 1990
PubMed
Summary

A rare case of severe bleeding from leech infestation in the throat required a blood transfusion. This highlights the importance of considering leech endoparasitism in unexplained bleeding, especially in endemic areas.

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Area of Science:

  • Medical Parasitology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Otolaryngology

Background:

  • Leech endoparasitism is a recognized, albeit uncommon, cause of bleeding.
  • Nasal leech infestation presenting with epistaxis is the most frequently reported manifestation.
  • Geographic location and environmental factors play a role in the prevalence of leech-borne diseases.

Observation:

  • A patient presented with severe haematemesis (vomiting blood) and malaena (dark, tarry stools).
  • The bleeding was significant, necessitating a blood transfusion.
  • Diagnostic examination revealed leech infestation located on the posterior pharyngeal wall.

Findings:

  • The cause of severe gastrointestinal bleeding was identified as an endoparasitic leech.
  • The leech was located in the pharynx, a less common site than the nasal cavity.
  • This case underscores the potential for pharyngeal leech infestation to cause substantial haemorrhage.

Implications:

  • Physicians in regions with common aquatic leech populations should consider leech endoparasitism in patients with unexplained upper gastrointestinal bleeding.
  • Awareness of this parasitic cause can lead to earlier diagnosis and appropriate management.
  • Further research into the epidemiology and clinical presentations of leech endoparasitism in diverse geographic areas is warranted.

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