American Society of Hirudotherapy

Unusual vaginal bleeding due to a leech bite in a girl from a tropical area: a case report

Case report published in Rev Soc Bras Med Trop (2019)

Last Updated: June 18, 2026Reviewed by: ASH Editorial Board
Research article — evidence reviewArticle reference
Evidence: Case reportSafety & Infection ControlHasanzadeh M et al. · Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical, 2019

Abstract

This study describes the isolation of a leech following the presentation of unusual vaginal bleeding. Vaginal bleeding in children due to a leech bite is very rare. This is the first report of severe bleeding in a virgin 14-year-old girl from Mashhad, Iran due to the presence of a leech in the vagina.

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

Publication typeCase ReportsJournal Article
Indexed MeSH termsAdolescentAnimalsFemaleHumansInsect Bites and StingsLeechesUterine HemorrhageVagina

Summary

This case report describes a virgin 14-year-old girl from Mashhad, Iran, who presented with unusual, severe vaginal bleeding caused by a leech in the vagina. It is described as the first such report of vaginal bleeding from a leech bite in this population.

Why This Matters for Hirudotherapy

This case report describes a 14-year-old virgin girl from Mashhad, Iran who presented with unusual vaginal bleeding attributed to a leech found in the vagina. The authors describe this as the first report of severe bleeding in a virgin 14-year-old girl from Mashhad due to leech presence. This documents an adverse event from accidental leech exposure, not a therapeutic application. The abstract provides no details on leech species, mechanism of bleeding, management beyond removal, or outcomes. It is a single case report with no secretome-level or hirudotherapy data.

Citation

Reference (Vancouver style)

Hasanzadeh M, Zarrinfar H, Najjari M. Unusual vaginal bleeding due to a leech bite in a girl from a tropical area: a case report. Rev Soc Bras Med Trop. 2019;52:e20180425. doi:10.1590/0037-8682-0425-2018. PMID: 30994809

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

DOIPubMed

Added to ASH library: May 27, 2026 · Site last updated: June 18, 2026

This website provides educational information and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. Medicinal leech therapy carries clinically meaningful risks and should be performed only by qualified clinicians under institutionally approved protocols. FDA 510(k) clearance for medicinal leeches is limited to specific indications; investigational and off-label discussions are labeled accordingly. For patient-specific guidance, consult a qualified healthcare provider.