Upper GI Bleeding Due to Leech Infestation in Ethiopian Patients: A Case Series and Review of Literature

Upper GI bleeding secondary to a live foreign body (leech) is a very rare condition, causing diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Aquatic leeches could infest the upper gastrointestinal (GI) mucosa, resulting in bleeding and/or anemia. A history of contact with a contaminated water source is neces...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inInternational medical case reports journal Vol. 15; pp. 677 - 680
Main Authors Nur, Abdulsemed Mohammed, Gorfu, Zebeaman Tibebu
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Macclesfield Dove Medical Press Limited 30.11.2022
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Dove
Dove Medical Press
Subjects
africa
Anemia
Anticoagulants
Anticoagulants (Medicine)
Blood pressure
Case reports
Case Series
Drinking water
Endoscopy
Epistaxis
Esophagus
ethiopia
Foreign bodies
Fresh water
Hematemesis
Hemoptysis
Histamine
leech infestation
Patients
Rural areas
upper gi bleeding
Vagina
Vital signs
Ethiopia
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Summary:Upper GI bleeding secondary to a live foreign body (leech) is a very rare condition, causing diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Aquatic leeches could infest the upper gastrointestinal (GI) mucosa, resulting in bleeding and/or anemia. A history of contact with a contaminated water source is necessary to establish the diagnosis. We, herein, present two cases of upper GI bleeding caused by leech infestation and a technique for extraction of the leech. Keywords: leech infestation, upper GI bleeding, anemia, Africa, Ethiopia
ISSN:1179-142X
1179-142X
DOI:10.2147/IMCRJ.S381990