A Case of Hematesis and Severe Anemia due to Leech Biting

M Hemati; Sh Vazirian; Gh Solgee

Journal of Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences

Peer-reviewed Medical Quarterly

Current Issue All Issues In Press Search Accepted Manuscripts

Journal Information Boards and Committees Indexing and Listing Sources Journal Metrics Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement Reviewer and AE Registration Form Support Contact Us Open Peer Review (OPR)

Authors Guide Submit Manuscript

A Case of Hematesis and Severe Anemia due to Leech Biting

Author(s):

M Hemati^1,*,

Sh Vazirian¹,

Gh Solgee¹

1Iran

Journal of Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences:Vol. 6, issue 4; e81166

Published online:Mar 19, 2003

Article type:Case Report

Received:Oct 22, 2002

Accepted:Feb 20, 2003

How to Cite:Hemati M, Vazirian S, Solgee G. A Case of Hematesis and Severe Anemia due to Leech Biting.J Kermanshah Univ Med Sci.2003;6(4):e81166.

Abstract

Background & Objective: Leech biting rarely causes bleeding in Alimentray and Respiratory systems and in genital. Leech saliva contains strong anticoagulant materials. The most important one is Hirudine, which by inhibiting the thrombine causes dysfunction in coagulation. Normally leech is taken by contaminated water and goes inside mouth and nose. The most common places of leech bite are the mucuses of nose and nasopharynx which causes epistraxis and respiratory distress. In rare cases it may stick to profunda muscuses like esophagus and Trachea and causes hematemsis, hemoptysis and respiratory distress.

Case report: In Agust 2003 a three and half year old girl from a village in Ilam state was referred with hematsis and due to severe anemia she was transfused packed cell and platelet. The endoscopy showed that leech bite on the esophagus wall was the cause of bleeding. Bleeding stopped when one leech came out through vomiting and another one by froceps.

Discussion: In regions where people use natural water, the presence of leech is a possibility. Therefore people should be informed about the dangers of leech and recommended to use filtered and clean water.

Keywords

Leech

Hirudine

Hematesis

Fulltext

The full text of this article is available on PDF

Import into EndNote Import into BibTex

Share on

Comments

Number of Comments:0

Metrics

Purchasing Reprints

Copyright Clearance Center (CCC) handles bulk orders for article reprints for Brieflands. To place an order for reprints, please click here ( https://www.copyright.com/landing/reprintsinquiryform/ ). Clicking this link will bring you to a CCC request form where you can provide the details of your order. Once complete, please click the ‘Submit Request’ button and CCC’s Reprints Services team will generate a quote for your review.

Search Relations

Author(s):

M Hemati:[PubMed][Scholar]
Sh Vazirian:[PubMed][Scholar]
Gh Solgee:[PubMed][Scholar]