American Society of Hirudotherapy

Mucosal hirudiniasis presenting as palatal mass: A case report and review of the literature

Case report published in Ann Med Surg (2020)

Last Updated: June 18, 2026Reviewed by: ASH Editorial Board
Research article — evidence reviewArticle reference
Evidence: Case reportSafety & Infection ControlBijou W et al. · Annals of medicine and surgery, 2020

Abstract

This paper presents the case of a 5-year-old child who presented with an 15-day history of a swelling over the palatal region and blood stained saliva. Intraoral examination showed dark red circular mass rising from the hard palate. Diagnosis of mucosal hirudiniasis have been made. The parasite has been extracted under local anesthesia using a blunt forceps, it has been identified as an adult Limnatis nilotica. Leech endoparasitism must be suspected in case of bleed from throat, dysphagia or any other related symptom, especially in pediatric patients who have been exposed to freshwater. Prevention remains the best medicine.

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

Publication typeCase ReportsJournal Article

Summary

A 5-year-old child had a 15-day history of palatal swelling and blood-stained saliva, with a dark red mass on the hard palate diagnosed as mucosal hirudiniasis; the parasite was extracted under local anesthesia and identified as an adult Limnatis nilotica.

Context

This case report describes a 5-year-old child presenting with a 15-day history of palatal swelling and blood-stained saliva, in whom intraoral examination revealed a dark red mass on the hard palate diagnosed as mucosal hirudiniasis, with an adult Limnatis nilotica leech extracted under local anesthesia. The authors emphasize suspecting leech endoparasitism in pediatric patients with throat bleeding or dysphagia, especially after freshwater exposure. This article documents pathogenic mucosal leech infestation, not therapeutic hirudotherapy or the leech secretome.

Citation

Reference (Vancouver style)

Bijou W, Laababsi R, Lekhbal A, Oukessou Y, Rouadi S, Abada R, et al. Mucosal hirudiniasis presenting as palatal mass: A case report and review of the literature. Ann Med Surg (Lond). 2020;60:631-633. doi:10.1016/j.amsu.2020.11.072. PMID: 33304577

Bibliographic details (authors, volume, pages, DOI) are taken from the PubMed record.

DOIPubMed

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