author(s)
PC Sarmah, A Das, K Bhattacharjee, BC Deka, DK Deka and K Roy

abstract

The present study describes a foreign body that happens to be a leech lodged in the ovary of a cow from Assam, India. Briefly, during examination of ovaries collected from cattle at slaughter, one of the ovaries showed presence of a non-motile worm like dull and dark coloured thick and muscular foreign body. It measured 18 mm in length and 3 mm width at the broader posterior end. There was presence of annulations on the body surface, one small sucker at the narrower end and a large posterior sucker at the broader end. Microscopy of the lactophenol treated specimen could not reveal much due to its rigidity and contractile state. Identification of the specimen as leech was made on the basis of morphological findings. The small sized leech was presumed to be a terrestrial type (land leech) belonging to the genus Haemadipsa. It is suggested that the leech might have gained entry into the host through the vagina and thereby uterus to reach one of the ovaries. The present finding appears to be the first report of Haemadipsa sp. infesting a visceral compact organ in man and animals and adds ovary to the list of organs that are documented to be affected by leech.