Bronchial Leech Infestation in a 15-Year-Old Female

Abstract

Foreign body aspiration (FBA) is a common incidence in young children. Leeches are rarely reported as FBA at any age. This study describes a 15-year-old female who presented with hemoptysis, hematemesis, coughs, melena, and anemia seven months prior to admission. Chest X-ray showed a round hyperdensity in the right lower lobe. A chest computed tomography (CT) demonstrated an area of consolidation and surrounding ground glass opacities in the right lower lobe. Hematological investigations revealed anemia. Finally, bronchoscopy was performed and a 5 cm leech was found within the right B7-8 bronchus and removed by forceps and a Dormia basket.

A Rare Upper Gastrointestinal Leech Infestation Causes Massive Bleeding in a 17-Month-Old Boy Admitted to Keren Zonal Referral Hospital, Keren, Eritrea

“…For a number of disorders, including dermatological infections, reproductive system issues, inflammation, and venous obstruction, leeches have been used for medicinal purposes for many decades. However, they may also cause diseases such as internal hirudiniasis that may present with cough, hemoptysis, epistaxis, hematemesis, melena, dysphagia, hoarseness, and dyspnea (3,5). People drink water from lakes, springs, and streams that could be leech-infested in rural areas of developing countries where hygiene is poor.…”

“…Bathing in infected environments may be followed by the attachment of this parasite to the skin or its penetration into normal body orifices (1). The nose, nasopharynx, oropharynx, larynx, and rectum have been identified as internal infestation sites (1)(2)(3). Cases of vaginal, ocular, and tracheal hirudiniasis were rarely reported (3)(4)(5).…”

“…The nose, nasopharynx, oropharynx, larynx, and rectum have been identified as internal infestation sites (1)(2)(3). Cases of vaginal, ocular, and tracheal hirudiniasis were rarely reported (3)(4)(5). While the clinical effects of leech infestation rely on the precise location of the infestation, nasal infestation and repeated unexplained epistaxis are the typical presentations of leech endoparasitism.…”

“…Foreign body ingestion, corrosive material ingestion and Mallory-Weiss syndrome are also uncommon causes of acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding in children (1). Leech endoparasitism is unusual, as a cause of hematemesis and vomiting (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6). Bleeding can be chronic or sporadic due to the presence of anticoagulants in leech saliva (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6).…”

“…Leech endoparasitism is unusual, as a cause of hematemesis and vomiting (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6). Bleeding can be chronic or sporadic due to the presence of anticoagulants in leech saliva (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6). Leeches are rare endoparasites that suck blood and survive in polluted water and can cause possible fatal complications (7,8).…”