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
Este caso clínico describe a un lactante de 10 meses que acudió al Hospital General de Debre Tabor con epistaxis y vómitos sanguinolentos de cuatro días de evolución, fue diagnosticado con anemia grave secundaria a infestación por sanguijuelas, recibió 360 mL de sangre total y se le extrajo una sanguijuela de la orofaringe con pinzas de McGill. Los autores recomiendan incluir la infestación por sanguijuelas en el diagnóstico diferencial de lactantes de zonas rurales que presentan epistaxis y vómitos sanguinolentos. Para el ámbito de la ASH, la relevancia es limitada: se trata de una infestación parasitaria accidental por sanguijuelas, no de hirudoterapia terapéutica, y el resumen no aporta información sobre la bioquímica del secretoma de la sanguijuela ni sobre su aplicación medicinal controlada.
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
Contexto clínico relacionado
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Añadido a la biblioteca ASH: May 27, 2026 · Última actualización del sitio: 18 de junio de 2026