Abstract
Leech enters to mouth and nose through water. Nose and nasopharynx mucosa are the most
preferred places for leech attachment with epistaxis and respiratory distress symptoms. But
the leeches may rarely stick deeper to trachea or esophagus which could cause hematemesis,
hemoptysis and severe respiratory distress. Leech infestation can cause gastrointestinal,
respiratory and genital bleeding in rare cases. Various animals such as ruminants, single-toed
and carnivores, are easily infected with leeches. In May 2014, a 2-year-old turkey infected with
leeches through the contaminated drinking water was referred to a veterinarian with respiratory
distress symptoms, anxiety, bleeding from the mouth in Maze-Abdali Village located at 17 km
from Dehloran City of Ilam Province in the west of Iran. After physical observations, a moving
dark green particle was seen. Limnatis nilotica were detected after separation from the oral
cavity of turkey. Respiratory distress and oral cavity bleeding should be regarded in the areas
where spring and flooded water were infested with leeches. Untreated and contaminated waters
consumption should be prohibited.
Citation
ID:
29740
Ref Key:
bahmani2015internalasian