Unusual Cause of Hematuria

Abstract

The leech is an invertebrate which has the habit of entering the anatomical orifices of man and animals. During the process of sucking blood it releases an anticoagulant and causes continuous bleeding from the bite site. A leech as a cause of gross hematuria is unusual. We present a case of a leech in the bladder as a cause of gross hematuria.

Aquatic leech infestation: a rare cause of severe anaemia in an adolescent Tanzanian girl

“…In sub-Saharan Africa, Moxybdella africana, Dinobdella ferox and Phytobdella catenifera, all of the family Hirudinidae, are prevalent [9,12,28]. Aquatic leeches have been described in sites like conjunctiva [3,4], nose [6], mouth/pharynx/larynx [5,9,11,12,17,22,24,27], trachea/bronchi [2,14,17,28], oesophagus [28], vagina [18], bladder [10], and rectum [25]. Most cases have been reported with involvement of the naso-pharynx, lower airways and upper oesophagus.…”

Endourological Treatment of Foreign Bodies in the Urinary System

“…9,18,19 Additionally, some patients may present with poor urinary stream and urinary retention. However, complaints of minimal discomfort or asymptomatic condition are very rare in bladder/urethral FBs.…”

Hematuria Due to Leech Bite in the Urinary Bladder: A Case Report

“…Therefore it has not been described in the lower intestines, although it can pass from outside through the anal sphincter into the rectum 12 . The presence of a leech in the rectum has been reported in a limited number; only 2-3 cases 12,14 . Cases of leech incduced bleeding from bladder is also uncommon and seldom reported 13 .…”

“…As was in our case, the commonest complication of leech bite is blood oozing. The amount and duration of bleeding vary according to the area bitten, with bleeding from the vagina, rectum, urinary bladder and pharynx having been reported 12,15 . Faust et al 16 reported that prolonged hemorrhage might result in anemia and death.…”