Cundall D B, Whitehead S M, Hechtel F O
Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 1986;80(6):940-4. doi: 10.1016/0035-9203(86)90265-8.
Six cases of pharyngeal leech (identified as Myxobdella africana) are reported from a highland area of North Kenya. Three patients were severely anaemic and one died. There have been sporadic reports of leech infestation of man in East and Central Africa but these reports lack correct identification of the leech. This paper includes a detailed account of the systematics of the leech and of its habitat. The leeches were ingested accidentally by drinking water from two infested water sources. The major symptoms were a feeling of something in the throat, epistaxis and haemoptysis. On examination, pharyngeal blood was a consistent feature although the leech was rarely seen on initial inspection. Examination under anaesthesia was usually successful in locating and removing the leech. Prompt blood transfusion was life-saving in two cases. The water sources were used by both cattle and man; the cattle may also be parasitized by leeches. Methods of improving the water sources were discussed with community leaders.
在肯尼亚北部的一个高地地区报告了6例咽部水蛭（鉴定为非洲粘液蛭）病例。3名患者严重贫血，1人死亡。在东非和中非曾有关于人类水蛭感染的零星报道，但这些报道对水蛭的鉴定有误。本文详细介绍了这种水蛭的分类学及其栖息地。这些水蛭是通过饮用来自两个受感染水源的水而意外摄入的。主要症状为咽部有异物感、鼻出血和咯血。检查时，咽部出血是一个常见特征，尽管在初次检查时很少能看到水蛭。麻醉下检查通常能成功定位并取出水蛭。及时输血在两例病例中挽救了生命。这些水源供人和牛使用；牛也可能被水蛭寄生。已与社区领导人讨论了改善水源的方法。
