Severe anaemia and death due to the pharyngeal leech Myxobdella africana

Abstract

Six cases of pharyngeal leech (identified as Myxobdella africana) are reported from a highland area of North Kenya. Three patients were severely anaemic and one died. There have been sporadic reports of leech infestation of man in East and Central Africa but these reports lack correct identification of the leech. This paper includes a detailed account of the systematics of the leech and of its habitat. The leeches were ingested accidentally by drinking water from two infested water sources. The major symptoms were a feeling of something in the throat, epistaxis and haemoptysis. On examination, pharyngeal blood was a consistent feature although the leech was rarely seen on initial inspection. Examination under anaesthesia was usually successful in locating and removing the leech. Prompt blood transfusion was life-saving in two cases. The water sources were used by both cattle and man; the cattle may also be parasitized by leeches. Methods of improving the water sources were discussed with community leaders.

Nose and Throat Leech Infestation: A Report of Six Cases from Jordan

“…Inside the host they may inhabit the upper respiratory tract [1][2][3] and cause a variety of symptoms, mainly epistaxis, bleeding from the mouth, nasal obstruction, foreign body sensation, stridor, dyspnea, and dysphagia, sometimes ending in death. 4 We report six cases of leech infestations of the upper respiratory and digestive tract from Jordan.…”

Hematuria Due to Leech Bite in the Urinary Bladder: A Case Report

“…Due to these mode of transmission almost all cases have been reported from less-developed countries in the rural areas or distant urban areas where use of safe water is often a problem 8 . When attached to the mucous membrane, they ingest blood averaging 10 times of their weight 9 . In this regard aquatic leeches are more dangerous than land leeches because they are more likely to cause severe anemia which may require blood transfusion 1 .…”

Rectal bleeding due to leech bite: a case report

“…[1] Cundall et al [20] reported three patients with severe anemia, one of whom died. Our patient had suffered from weakness and anorectal pain for approximately four days, and a hypochromic microcytic anemia had developed, but he did not require blood transfusion.…”