Leech infestation in the vulvar region: causes of vaginal bleeding in a six-year-old child

Leeches are hermaphroditic rare blood-sucking human endoparasitesof phylum Annelida and class Hirudinea. Leech infestation is a zoonotic disease acquired by drinking contaminated water, swimming in ponds and streams.1 Epidemiology of leech bites in literature is limited and the majority of existing data are case reports from the tropics or subtropics.2-4 Leech bites can occur on various orifices of the body including internal body cavities and orifices, such as the uterus, rectum, urinary bladder, vulva, nasal cavity, peritoneal cavity, nasopharynx, oropharynx, oesophagus, trachea, bronchi and the vagina.5 Different chemicals for leech removal have been utilized and include anesthetics drugs like lidocaine and topical anesthetic spray. Salt, saline, vinegar, alcohol, and heat are also viable options. Of these, saltwater has been shown to be effective in causing the leech to relax and release. Vaginal bleeding resulting from leech bite is rare, but when it occurs, it may be of severe morbidity.2-4 In the present case report that happened at Kabaya district hospital, a six year old child with vaginal bleeding that turned out to be caused by vaginal leech infestation is presented. Kabaya district hospital is a rural hospital with 144-bed capacity and serves 188,902 inhabitants and is geographically difficult to access due to the lack of reliable roads and bridges, especially in the rainy season.

Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.

6-year-old child in rural Rwanda with vaginal bleeding from vulvar leech infestation, managed at a 144-bed district hospital with limited resources.

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