Leech as a Rare Cause of Vaginal Bleeding in an Adolescent

Aali, Biibi Shahnaz

doi:10.5144/0256-4947.2002.111

Cited by 4 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 4 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Such result is similar to a previous case report of a 27-year-old female in Taiwan (Hsu et al ., 2015), but different from another case report of a 70-year-old female in Taiwan (Chuang, 2008). On the other hand, cases of leech infestation resulting in severe or even lethal anemia have been reported mostly in South Asia, the Middle East and East Africa (Turner, 1969; Cundall et al ., 1986; Aali, 2002; Demiroren and Caliskan, 2003; Ağin et al ., 2008; Montazeri et al ., 2009). Even though the species causing the infestations was not always identified in those cases, the common praobdellid species in these areas are L. nilotica and M. africana rather than D. ferox .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Beyond the epistaxis: voluntary nasal leech (Dinobdella ferox) infestation revealed the leech behaviours and the host symptoms through the parasitic period

Lai

2019

Parasitology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Dinobdella ferox is the most reported and studied leech species parasitizing mammalian mucus membranes. However, our knowledge of D. ferox during parasitizing and its effects on hosts has remained limited. To investigate the behaviour of D. ferox in the parasitic period and the subsequent host symptoms, the author was infested voluntarily with three juvenile leeches under regularly-conducted examinations of complete blood count (CBC) and nasal endoscopy (NE). After the first head protrusion of the parasitizing leech at the host nostril, the occurrence of bleeding-related symptoms decreased and ceased completely weeks before the end of the parasitic period. Negligible impacts of the parasitizing leech on the host were shown by CBCs, and a parasitizing leech was able to hide from NE despite being so large it at times protrudes out of the host nostril. Finally, parasitizing D. ferox were coaxed to emerge at the nostril by water only after their first head protrusion, indicating that non-invasive removal of parasitizing D. ferox before head protrusion might be difficult. Through the voluntary infestation, the full documentation of behaviours of D. ferox in the parasitic period and host symptoms shown in this study will promote better diagnoses and treatments of nasal leech infestation.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Beyond the epistaxis: voluntary nasal leech (Dinobdella ferox) infestation revealed the leech behaviours and the host symptoms through the parasitic period

Lai

2019

Parasitology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…71 Leech infestation of the genito-urinary tract may present as vaginal or urethral bleeding, haematuria or urinary obstruction. [72][73][74][75][76][77][78][79][80] Invasion of the bladder and uterus have been described, which can be associated with life-threatening anaemia. 73,75,81 A recent dramatic addition to the literature is a case report of a 2-year-old girl in India who presented with intraperitoneal haemorrhage and shock.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Leeches — the good, the bad and the wiggly

O’Dempsey

2012

Paediatrics and International Child Health

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Leeches have been making a remarkable come-back in medical practice in recent years, particularly in reconstructive surgery. This paper opens with a brief review of the historical aspects of the medicinal use of leeches and their recent renaissance in modern medical practice. We then embark on a journey through the murky waters of leech infestation and the potentially life-threatening complications arising from close encounters with these extraordinary creatures. Finally, we get to grips with the tricky issue of safely apprehending and removing uninvited hangers-on.

show abstract