title: Leech Induced Pyoderma Gangrenosum in an Ulcerative Colitis Patient: A Case Report.
abstract: Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a painful skin lesion that results from excessive inflammatory response to a host of traumatic, inflammatory, or neoplastic processes in susceptible individuals. A clear pathogenetic mechanism as well as an exhaustive list of potential triggers for PG is yet to be fully characterized. This case documents the occurrence of pyoderma gangrenosum following leech-therapy in a patient who is a known case of ulcerative colitis and it deserves attention because leeches have been part of medical armamentarium since ancient times and have re-emerged in the last century relying on their ancient charm and modern research revealing potential benefits of several bioactive substances in their saliva.
authors.affiliation: Digestive Disease Research Institute, Shariati hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Anahita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sadeghi
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Shariati hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Behrouz
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Navabakhsh
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Shariati hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Niloofar
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Izadi Vahedi
keywords: Leech-therapy; Pyoderma gangrenosum; Ulcerative colitis