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Leech endoparasitism: report of a case and review of the literature

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Abstract

We report the case of an 11-year-old boy who presented with fresh blood in his mouth and a history of sore throat during the past 2 weeks that was unresponsive to antibiotic therapy. Inspection of the oral cavity revealed a black circular mass attached to the posterior wall of the oropharynx. This mass was determined to be a live engorged leech. Leech endoparasitism is caused by aquatic leeches that attach themselves to mucus membranes of body cavities after the host has swum in bodies of fresh water or drunk from unsafe water sources. Pharyngeal hirudiniasis may present in different forms depending on the exact location of the parasite in the body and must be included in the list of differential diagnosis for common conditions such as pharyngitis, hemoptysis or anemia in pediatric patients living in endemic areas.

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Acknowledgments

Financial support for this study was provided by the corresponding author.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors of this article have no conflict or competing interests. All of the authors approved the final version of the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Digestive Disease Research Center, Shariati Hospital, Medical sciences/Tehran University, 72, Karegar Shomali Avenue, 17th street, 1438837431, Tehran, Iran

    Farhad Montazeri & Ghoderat Montazeri

  2. Iran University of medical sciences, #19. Farzan st, Naji st, Zafar ave, Tehran, Iran

    Arash Bedayat

  3. Iran University of medical sciences, #20, Sepand st, Aqdasieh ave, Tehran, Iran

    Layli Jamali

  4. Iran University of medical sciences, #28, Heidarian st, Falamak ave, “Shahrak e gharb”, Tehran, Iran

    Mehran Salehian

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  1. Farhad Montazeri
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  2. Arash Bedayat
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  3. Layli Jamali
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  4. Mehran Salehian
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  5. Ghoderat Montazeri
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Correspondence to Farhad Montazeri.

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Montazeri, F., Bedayat, A., Jamali, L. et al. Leech endoparasitism: report of a case and review of the literature. Eur J Pediatr 168, 39–42 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-008-0706-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-008-0706-1

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