title: Rectal bleeding due to leech bite: a case report.
abstract: We present herein a case with a four-day history of fresh rectal bleeding due to leech bite. The cause was found to be a leech in the rectum by anoscope. This pathological condition is extremely rare in urban areas. Leech endoparasitism, although rare, may cause serious, even lethal, complications. Suspicion of leech infestation should be kept in mind when faced with intermittent or severe rectal bleeding in humans, and should be investigated surgically as with all other foreign bodies. In the current study, we present a patient who admitted with rectal bleeding due to leech bite. The leech was removed by hand examination (by forceps) without requiring any surgical attempt.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Gaziantep University Faculty of Medicine, Gaziantep, Turkey. behcetal@gmail.com
authors.forename: Behçet
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Al
authors.forename: Mehmet Emin
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Yenen
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aldemir
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000747:Anemia, Hypochromic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000818:Animals; D001733:Bites and Stings / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology* / Q000469:parasitology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007865:Leeches / Q000187:drug effects; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D012002:Rectal Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000469:parasitology / Q000628:therapy; D013630:Tampons, Surgical
chemical_list: D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D008012:Lidocaine