Ni Lei, Chen Yun Ce, Zhong Shan, Hua Zi Xuan, Li Qing Yun
Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, People's Hospital of Mojiang Hani Autonomous County, Yunnan, China.
Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2025 Feb 11;112(4):928-930. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.24-0716. Print 2025 Apr 2.
Leeches, which are bloodsucking annelids widely distributed in natural environments globally, can cause hirudiniasis when they invade the human body. The most common site of infestation in humans is the nasopharynx, although they can also infiltrate less common sites, such as the trachea, esophagus, and urinary and reproductive tracts. We present the case of a 47-year-old male patient with a persistent cough for 2 months associated with hemoptysis and intermittent hoarseness for 1 month. Nasopharyngoscopy revealed an actively moving worm located above the vocal cords. Subsequently, under intravenous anesthesia, we removed the live worm through bronchoscopy, and it was identified as a leech. In areas where hirudiniasis is endemic, the possibility of tracheal leech infestation should be considered in patients presenting with chronic cough, hemoptysis, and hoarseness. Furthermore, it is crucial to take necessary precautions during outdoor activities to prevent the occurrence of hirudiniasis.
水蛭是一种吸血环节动物，在全球自然环境中广泛分布，当它们侵入人体时可导致水蛭病。人类最常见的感染部位是鼻咽部，不过它们也可侵入不太常见的部位，如气管、食管以及泌尿生殖道。我们报告一例47岁男性患者，持续咳嗽2个月，伴有咯血，间歇性声音嘶哑1个月。鼻咽喉镜检查发现一条活跃蠕动的蠕虫位于声带上方。随后，在静脉麻醉下，我们通过支气管镜取出了活蠕虫，经鉴定为水蛭。在水蛭病流行地区，对于出现慢性咳嗽、咯血和声音嘶哑的患者，应考虑气管水蛭感染的可能性。此外，在户外活动期间采取必要的预防措施以防止水蛭病的发生至关重要。
