Leech infestation in the vulvar region: causes of vaginal bleeding in a six-year-old child
Case report published in East Afr Health Res J (2021)
Abstract
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.
Resumen
6-year-old child in rural Rwanda with vaginal bleeding from vulvar leech infestation, managed at a 144-bed district hospital with limited resources.
Por qué esto importa para la hirudoterapia
Este caso clínico describe a una niña de seis años que consultó por sangrado vaginal causado por infestación vaginal por sanguijuelas en el hospital del distrito de Kabaya. El resumen señala que las sanguijuelas son parásitos hematófagos de la clase Hirudinea, que la infestación por sanguijuelas se adquiere a través de agua contaminada o del baño, y que el sangrado vaginal por mordedura de sanguijuela es raro pero puede causar una morbilidad grave. Para el ámbito de la ASH, este artículo aporta un ejemplo clínico de la morbilidad asociada a la fijación accidental de sanguijuelas sobre tejido mucoso humano. SALVEDAD: se trata de un caso clínico único de infestación parasitaria accidental por sanguijuelas, no de hirudoterapia terapéutica; la especie de la sanguijuela no está especificada y el contexto es completamente distinto al de la aplicación controlada de sanguijuelas medicinales.
Citación
Leech infestation in the vulvar region: causes of vaginal bleeding in a six-year-old child.
Sebazungu T et al. · The East African health research 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