title: Unexpected reach of a leech.
abstract: Vaginal bleeding as the result of a leech infestation is rare. Here we present two cases of hypovolemic shock with severe anemia requiring blood transfusion due to leech infestation. We also briefly review sparse literature available on this entity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Sri Gokulam Hospital & Research Institute, Salem, India.
authors.forename: Subramanian
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Senthilkumaran
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Srinivas Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Centre, Mangalore, India.
authors.forename: Ritesh G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Menezes
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 W Markham, Little Rock, AR 72205 USA.
authors.forename: Sadip
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pant
authors.affiliation: Chennai Medical College Hospital & Research Center, Irungalur, Trichy, India.
authors.forename: Ponniah
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Thirumalaikolundusubramanian
keywords: Hypovolemic shock; Leech; Vaginal bleeding