A Rare Case of Oropharyngeal Leech Infestation Causing Epistaxis and Dysphagia in a Child in Herat, Afghanistan: A Case Report.

Seyed Abdul Ahad Wadoodi¹, Said Abdul Kabir Hawari¹, Mohammad Masudi^2,3, Ali Rahimi^2,3, Nasar Ahmad Shayan⁴

¹Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Herat University Herat Afghanistan.

²Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Herat University Herat Afghanistan.

³Department of Curative Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Jami University Herat Afghanistan.

⁴Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine Herat University Herat Afghanistan.

PubMed PMC DOI PDF

Abstract

Oropharyngeal leech infestation is rare. A 12-year-old Afghan girl developed recurrent epistaxis, dysphagia, throat irritation, and cough after drinking untreated stream water. Examination revealed an 8-cm leech attached to the posterior pharynx. Forceps removal immediately resolved symptoms. Leech infestation should be considered following freshwater exposure in endemic rural settings worldwide.

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