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Leech secretions contain several bioactive substances with anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant and antimicrobial effects. [70] One active component of leech saliva is a small protein, hirudin. [72] It is widely used as an anticoagulant drug to treat blood-clotting disorders, and manufactured by recombinant DNA technology. [73] [74]
Gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) is an uncommon cause of chronic gastrointestinal bleeding or iron deficiency anemia. [ 1 ] [ 2 ] The condition is associated with dilated small blood vessels in the gastric antrum , which is a distal part of the stomach . [ 1 ]
Some parasitic worms, including leeches and monogeneans, are ectoparasites – thus, they are not classified as helminths, which are endoparasites. Parasitic worms live in and feed in living hosts. They receive nourishment and protection while disrupting their hosts' ability to absorb nutrients.
Hirudo medicinalis, or the European medicinal leech, is one of several species of leeches used as medicinal leeches. Other species of Hirudo sometimes also used as medicinal leeches include H. orientalis , H. troctina , and H. verbana .
A Cameron lesion is a linear erosion or ulceration of the mucosal folds lining the stomach where it is constricted by the thoracic diaphragm in persons with large hiatal hernias. [1] The lesions may cause chronic blood loss resulting in iron deficiency anemia ; less often they cause acute bleeding.
The stomach connects to an intestine, followed by a colon, a rectum, and finally an anus located on the leech's back. M. decora, like all leeches, is hermaphroditic, and has ten testisacs and two ovisacs, in addition to male and female genital pores. First described by Thomas Say in 1824, the species is now placed in the genus Macrobdella.
Botulism can cause double or blurred vision, slurred speech, drooping eyelids and difficulty swallowing or breathing. As symptoms progress, the muscles become progressively weakened.
Gastritis is the inflammation of the lining of the stomach. [1] It may occur as a short episode or may be of a long duration. [1] There may be no symptoms but, when symptoms are present, the most common is upper abdominal pain (see dyspepsia). [1]