[Mapping and review of leishmaniasis, its vectors and main reservoirs in Iran]

Despite improvements in public health in Iran, cutaneous leishmaniasis has become a growing health issue. About 90% of cutaneous leishmaniasis cases occur in 8 countries including Iran. Kala-azar or visceral leishmaniasis, as an important parasitic disease, is endemic in some areas of Iran. Mapping the distribution of parasitic diseases and determining their relations to geographic factors are increasing in importance for experts. This study was carried out to provide distribution maps of the geographical pathology of leishmaniasis in Iran with no emphasis on medical entomology or parasitology. A systematic literature review was performed and the data and/or metadata were used for evaluation of findings. Data of leishmaniasis were obtained from the Iran Center for Diseases Control, in the Ministry of Health in 2002 and 2009. Incidence or prevalence of the diseases and also scientific names of vectors and reservoirs with collection details were arranged as a shapefile in ArcGIS software and were mapped. Distribution maps of the diseases, host reservoirs, and vectors are provided as a systematic review. It seems that zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis is mostly observed in desert and semi-desert habitats far from Alborz and Zagros mountainous areas. Visceral leishmaniasis in dogs may be related to precipitation, temperature, and elevation in Ardebil Province, Iran. There are some gaps in distribution maps which represent future study opportunities for scholars as this lack of data does not signify the lack of prevalence of the disease but the lack of studies in these areas

Distribution of ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) infesting domestic ruminants in mountainous areas of Golestan province, Iran

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To determine the prevalence of ticks on cattle in the mountainous areas of Golestan province and their geographical distribution.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In total, 498 animals from 25 herds were selected to search for ticks in 2009-2010. Tick collection was carried out during four seasons, twice per season over a period of 12 month from March 2009 through February 2010 in two districts, Azadshahr and Ramian. Meteorological data were obtained from Iran Meteorological Organization. The geographical points recorded using a Garmin eTrex®H GPS.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 255 ticks were collected from a total of 219 ruminants including 44 sheep, 63 goats, 99 cows and 13 camels in two districts of the mountainous area of Golestan province, including Azadshahr and Ramian. Five species of ixodid ticks were identified: Rhipicephalus sanguineus (66.5%), Rhipicephalus bursa (4.6%), Hyalomma marginatum (19.9%), Hyalomma anatolicum (6%) and Hyalomma asiaticum (4%). The densities of infestations were calculated for sheep, goats, cows and camels 0.9, 0.79, 0.16 and 0.43 respectively. Seasonal activity of each ixodid tick infesting domestic ruminants was determined. The distribution maps showed ixodid ticks on domestic ruminants, and Rhipicephalus sanguineus were dominant species in the area.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Such research provides necessary information for human and animal health service mangers to have a better understanding of prevention and control of vector borne diseases especially during the outbreaks.</p>