Distribution and harmfulness of leech-caused human disease in the mainland of China

Abstract

Objective To summarize and analyze the distribution and harmfulness of leech-cansed dis-ease among populations, parasitized locations of leeches in human body and different treatment measures against this disease in mainland of China in the last 50 years. Methods To collect the information from varieties of medical books, journals, bulletins, monograph and journals for parasitological subjects, as well as leech-caused disease data reported from different regions. Results Information of 1 003 cases were collected and the data revealed that leech-caused diseases were found in 15 provinces or autonomous regions yet, and the patients' a-ges ranged from 1.5 to 73. Most of these victims were farmers, little girls and students, and next were lumber-men. The high incident season of the disease was summer followed by autumn. Disease course lasted from 1 day to 365 days. The common locations of leeches detected were in nose, vagina, pharynx and larynx, and rarely in eyes, intestines, bladder, stomach and subcutaneous tissue. The clinical symptoms were blood less, anaemia, panic, nervousness, dizziness, headache, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, nanseat and vomiting. Some cases once lost blood volume ranging from 200 to 300 ml, and even 600 ml in the most severe eases. Conclusion The parasitic disease caused by leech is mainly distributed in the remotes of Guangxi, Guizhou, Sichuan and Yun-nan provinces of the southwest China, Hubei Province of mid-south China, and Fujian and Guangdong prov-inces along the east coach of China. It causes great damage to the residents, especially the adult farmers and little girls. Key words: Mainland of China; Leech-caused disease; Distribution; Harmfulness