title: Pruritis and palpable purpura from leeches in the Australian Rainforest.
abstract: Leeches are prevalent in the Australian Rainforest. We report two cases of leech bites resulting in pruritis and palpable purpura. The dermatologic sequelae of leech bites, differential diagnosis of pruritic palpable purpura, leech bite treatment, prevention, and complications are reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Penn State Hershey Medical Center, United States.
authors.forename: Elizabeth V
authors.initials: EV
authors.lastname: Seiverling
authors.affiliation: Penn State College of Medicine, United States.
authors.forename: Amrit
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Khalsa
authors.affiliation: Department of Family and Community Medicine, Penn State Hershey Medical Center, United States.
authors.forename: Hadjh T
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Ahrns
keywords: Annelids; Australia; Leeches; Pruritis; Purpura; Rainforest
references.citation: Trop Doct. 2000 Apr;30(2):102
references.pmid: 10842559
references.citation: Indian J Med Res. 1993 May;97:128-31
references.pmid: 8406636
references.citation: J Med Case Rep. 2011 May 06;5:172
references.pmid: 21548915
references.citation: Int J Parasitol. 2005 Apr 1;35(4):431-43
references.pmid: 15777919
references.citation: Ann Trop Med Parasitol. 2005 Oct;99(7):695-714
references.pmid: 16212803
references.citation: Biomed Khim. 2008 Mar-Apr;54(2):127-39
references.pmid: 18522215