Leech infestation-a rare cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding: A case report
Background: Leeches are rare blood-sucking endoparasites found in fresh water and can cause potentially life-threatening complications. Leech infestations are an uncommon cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding, often presenting diagnostic challenges and rarely considered in the differential diagno...
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| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-09-01
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| Series: | JEM Reports |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S277323202500046X |
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| author | Mengesha Akale Dawit Zena Fitsum Mesfin Nahom Addisu |
| author_facet | Mengesha Akale Dawit Zena Fitsum Mesfin Nahom Addisu |
| author_sort | Mengesha Akale |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Leeches are rare blood-sucking endoparasites found in fresh water and can cause potentially life-threatening complications. Leech infestations are an uncommon cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding, often presenting diagnostic challenges and rarely considered in the differential diagnosis. The available literature on leech infestation is limited. Case presentation: A 20-year-old woman from rural Ethiopia presented with bloody vomiting and spitting of saliva mixed with blood of 6 days duration. There was bright red blood over the posterior part of the tongue, palate, and oropharynx. An endoscopy revealed a motile dark brown worm in the hypopharynx, specifically in the pyriform sinus, along with active bleeding. Under conscious sedation, a 5 cm long leech was removed gently using nontoothed forceps. Bleeding was stopped immediately and patient discharged in stable condition. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-99b57ca1e00c41579960f3132b3f8a82 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2773-2320 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-09-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | JEM Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-99b57ca1e00c41579960f3132b3f8a822025-08-20T02:41:30ZengElsevierJEM Reports2773-23202025-09-014310018210.1016/j.jemrpt.2025.100182Leech infestation-a rare cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding: A case reportMengesha Akale0Dawit Zena1Fitsum Mesfin2Nahom Addisu3Department of Internal Medicine, Arsi University, Asella, Ethiopia; Corresponding author.Department of Internal Medicine, Arsi University, Asella, EthiopiaDepartment of Internal Medicine, Arsi University, Asella, EthiopiaYekatit 12 hospital Medical College, Addis Ababa, EthiopiaBackground: Leeches are rare blood-sucking endoparasites found in fresh water and can cause potentially life-threatening complications. Leech infestations are an uncommon cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding, often presenting diagnostic challenges and rarely considered in the differential diagnosis. The available literature on leech infestation is limited. Case presentation: A 20-year-old woman from rural Ethiopia presented with bloody vomiting and spitting of saliva mixed with blood of 6 days duration. There was bright red blood over the posterior part of the tongue, palate, and oropharynx. An endoscopy revealed a motile dark brown worm in the hypopharynx, specifically in the pyriform sinus, along with active bleeding. Under conscious sedation, a 5 cm long leech was removed gently using nontoothed forceps. Bleeding was stopped immediately and patient discharged in stable condition.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S277323202500046XLeech infestationSpitting of bloodAnemiaGastrointestinal (GI) bleedingCase report |
| spellingShingle | Mengesha Akale Dawit Zena Fitsum Mesfin Nahom Addisu Leech infestation-a rare cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding: A case report JEM Reports Leech infestation Spitting of blood Anemia Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding Case report |
| title | Leech infestation-a rare cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding: A case report |
| title_full | Leech infestation-a rare cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding: A case report |
| title_fullStr | Leech infestation-a rare cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding: A case report |
| title_full_unstemmed | Leech infestation-a rare cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding: A case report |
| title_short | Leech infestation-a rare cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding: A case report |
| title_sort | leech infestation a rare cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding a case report |
| topic | Leech infestation Spitting of blood Anemia Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding Case report |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S277323202500046X |
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