Oropharyngeal leech infestation as a cause of severe anemia in a 65-year-old male patient: a case report.

Background: Leech infestations are rare but potentially serious medical conditions, often leading to hemorrhage and anemia. Leeches, which belong to the phylum Annelida and class Hirudinea, typically infest humans through contact with contaminated water or ingestion of unfiltered water. They attach to the mucosa of the aerodigestive tract, causing bleeding, and in severe cases, complications such as airway obstruction or severe anemia.