A Case Report on Leech Infestation as a Cause of Severe Anemia in a 10-Month-Old Infant in Ethiopia
Case report published in Int Med Case Rep J (2021)
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Leeches are blood sucking hermaphroditic parasites belonged to the phylum Annelida of the class Hirudinea. Based on the location of leech infestation, the patient may present with anemia and respiratory symptoms. Even though Leech infestation is mentioned as common problem in African countries and the common cause of anemia, especially in children but it is not mentioned as a cause of severe anemia in an infant. CASE PRESENTATION: In this paper, we are reporting a 10 months old baby presented to Debre Tabor General Hospital with nasal bleeding and blood tingled vomiting of four days duration. With the diagnosis of severe anemia secondary to leech infestation, she was transfused with 360 mL of whole blood and the leech was removed from the oropharynx with McGill forceps. She was followed for 48 hours. There was no ongoing bleeding; the vital signs became stable, and then patient's parents were advised to boil drinking water before use. Finally, the infant discharged with improvement. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: We concluded that leech infestation should be included as the differential diagnosis of an infant presented with nasal bleeding and blood tingled vomiting who came from rural areas.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Resumen
Case of a 10-month-old infant from Ethiopia who developed severe anemia and respiratory distress secondary to leech infestation acquired through unsafe water sources.
Por qué esto importa para la hirudoterapia
This case report describes a 10-month-old infant who presented to Debre Tabor General Hospital with nasal bleeding and blood-tinged vomiting of four days' duration, was diagnosed with severe anemia secondary to leech infestation, received 360 mL of whole blood, and had a leech removed from the oropharynx with McGill forceps. The authors recommend including leech infestation as a differential diagnosis for infants from rural areas presenting with nasal bleeding and blood-tinged vomiting. For ASH's domain, the relevance is limited: this concerns accidental parasitic leech infestation, not therapeutic hirudotherapy, and the abstract provides no information about leech secretome biochemistry or controlled medicinal application.
Citación
A Case Report on Leech Infestation as a Cause of Severe Anemia in a 10-Month-Old Infant in Ethiopia.
Getahun AM et al. · International medical case reports journal, 2021
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Añadido a la biblioteca ASH: May 27, 2026 · Última actualización del sitio: June 18, 2026