[Gerbillid rodents fauna [muridae: gerbillinae] and detection of reservoir host[s] of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis using a nested-PCR technique in Jask city in Hormozgan province in 2008]

Gerbillid rodents [Rodentia: Muridae: Gerbillinae] are the most important reservoir hosts of Leishmania major which is the causative agent of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis [ZCL]. Different gerbil species are reservoirs of ZCL in different parts of Iran. Since Jask City is the most important endemic area in Hormozgan Province and eastern part of Iran, the present study was designed to identify the gerbils' fauna in this city and detect the reservoir hosts of ZCL in Jask City. This was a descriptive study and the rodents were caught in rectangular wire-mesh traps from different areas of the city. The trapped animals were euthanized under choloroform anesthesia. Duplicate impression smears were prepared from the external ears and their morph metric characteristics were measured and recorded. After dissection of the abdomen of the animals by a scalpel liver and spleen of each animal were removed and preserved in a tube containing 70% ethanol and the whole body was incubated in another tube containing 10% formalin and sent to zoology lab for taxidermy and identification of different species. Impression smears were examined for leishman body by means of a light microscope after Giemsa staining. Small parts of spleen and liver of the animals were homogenized and used for DNA extraction. Whole DNA extracted using Proteinase K and Phenol/Chloroform/Isoamyl alcohol methods. The variable segment of minicircles of kinetoplast DNA was proliferatied by means of nested-PCR techniques using species-specific primers [LIN R4-LIN 17 - Lin 19]. All the 106 rodents in this study belonged to five species. Meriones persicus was the dominant species [27.35%]. Microscopic examination detected the leptomonads in a female specimen of Tatera indica [3.7%], a female specimen of Meriones hurricane [3.85%] and a male specimen of Gerbillus nanus species [5.88%], while leishmania kinetoplast DNA was detected in one femalespecimen of T.indica, 2 female specimens [7/69%] of M. hurrianae, and one female and one male specimen [11/76%] of G.nanus species. The parasites were identified as L. major. Different species of gerbil rodents are active and abundant in the vicinity of human residential areas in Jask City. T. indica, M. hurricane and G. nanus species are reservoir hosts of ZCL in this endemic area. In this study we used molecular assay for detection of ZCL reservoir hosts for the first time in south east part of the country. Infection of G. nanus by L. major was detected for the first time in the world

[ nested-PCR based detection of cutaneous leishmaniasis vectors in Jask county, Hormozgan, Iran]

The city of Jask in south east of Iran has been considered an endemic focus of leishmaniasis. PCR-based techniques can detect lower parasite burdens, reducing the number of false negatives and improving the quantification of Leishmania parasites in the sand fly. The aim of this epidemiological study was to detect vector[s] by PCR techniques in the city of Jask located in Hormozgan province. Sand flies were captured using CDC miniature light traps and sticky papers during 2007-2008 and identified by their morphology. DNA extraction performed by Proteinase K and Phenol/Chloroform/Isoamyl Alcohol methods. Leishmania kinetoplast minicircle DNA was amplified by two Nested-PCR techniques using species-specific primers [LINR4-LIN17-LIN19] and [CSB1XR-CSB2XF-LiR-13Z].These primers could differentiate among Leishmania species of Iran. A total of 8123 sand flies were collected. The fauna was identified as eight species [3 Phlebotomus and 5 Sergentomyia]. Phlebotomus papatasi, P. salehi and Sergentomyia theodori were the three most dominant species [59.91%, 17.21% and 7.32% respectively]. 60, 50 and 40 parous unfed female specimens of P. papatasi, P. salehi and S. theodori were investigated for Leishmania DNA infection. Leishmania major DNA was detected in 3 [5%] specimens of P. papatasi and 2 [4%] specimens of P. salehi. Anthropophilic index of these two species were 29.6 and 18 percent, respectively. This study was the first molecular study for detection of cutaneous eishmaniasis vectors in Hormozgan province in Iran. According to the findings of the present study P. papatasi and P. salehi are probable vectors of cutaneous leishmaniasis in this focus

[Susceptibility of dangerous scorpions of hormozgan province to WHO recommended insecticides]

Hormozgan province is the second most important foci of scorpion stinging specially by Hemiscorpius lepturus. Currently chemical control is the most efficient way and susceptibility level of important vectors should be chequed to find their resistance to some chemicals. Our aim was to investigate on the susceptibility or resistance of the most dangerous scorpions of Hormozgan province to the WHO recommended insecticides. In this cross-sectional study, 843 specimens of Scorpio were captured. Susceptibility tests were achieved using the method of Cockroaches, susceptibility. Each dose of insecticides was tested in two replicates and killing dose of each specimen was calculated. Killing dose of Cypermethrin [EC 2.5%] was 0.001 micro l/cm2 for Mesobuthus eupeus, H. lepturus and Odontobuthus doriae and was 0.009 micro l/cm2 for Androctonus crassicauda. That dose was calculated as 0.001 and 0.0003 micro l/cm2 for M. eupeus and H. lepturus, respectively, for Deltamethrin [EC 2.5%]. All species were killed at dose of 0.39 mg/cm2 for Carbaryl [WP 85%]. None of Lindane doses [WP 25%] could make 100% mortality in all species. Mortal dose of Malathion [EC 57%] was 1.029 micro l/cm2 for A. crassicauda and H. lepturus and 0.284 micro l/cm2, and 0.515 micro l/cm2 for M. eupeus and O. doriae, respectively. The studied scorpion species were susceptible to the Pyrethroids. These insecticides can be used in an "Integrated Vector Management" program to control Malaria and scorpions. These species probably are resistance to Malathion and Lindane

[Quality analysis and management of health-care waste-products]

One of the most important environmental issues is solid waste produced in health-care centers with hazardous agents. The aim of this survey is quality analysis and management of Health-care waste in Bandar Abbas, Iran. In this cross sectional study, 29 medical offices, 29 dentistry offices, 19 clinics and 8 health centers were selected. Overall 340 samples [four from each location] were analyzed. Sampling was achieved in summer and winter. Samples were manually sorted into different four categories and measured using laboratory scale. Total annual waste produced in Bandar Abbas health-care centers was 46689.91 Kg. Clinics produce higher rate of medical wastes and health stations produce lower rate. Higher and lower rates in amount were potentially infectious domestic type wastes, and sharp wastes, respectively. Respect to higher rate of potentially infectious domestic type wastes, we suggest waste collection management and separation of wastes in the centers

[Study on scorpion's fauna in high risk area of Hormozgan Province, 2006-2007]

Scorpion stinging is one of the most important health problems of Iran especially in tropical southern provinces such as Hormozgan, the southern province of Iran. Hormozgan province usually had the second rank of stinging prevalence in the country with ore 10 cases of death annually. Detection of scorpion fauna is a necessary factor to plan an efficient control problem. The present study was a Cross- Sectional descriptive study which was conducted in 2006-2007 Cluster sampling method was used and the specimens were caught using Black light and daily resting site seeking techniques. A total of 818 specimens were caught from which, 440 [53.8%] were female and 378 [46.2%] were male. Ten species from three families [Buthidae, Scorpionidae and Liochelidae] were found as the fauna and Odontobuthus doriae [Buthidae] with 28.8% [236 specimens] was the dominant species. Parsian district had the highest density of scorpion with 34.3% [281 specimens]. The result showed Hemiscorpius lepturus with 21.6% [177 specimens] was the dangerous species which caused death in risk areas of Hormozgan province. The density of H. lepturus and Androctonus crassicauda was very high in the border of cities, villages and indoor habitats. Scorpio maurus [Scorpionidae] is reported the first time from Hormozgan province. Besides, this is the first report of Hottentotta jayakari [Buthidae] from the northern coastal areas of Persian Gulf

seminested PCR based detection of Leishmania infantum infection in asymptomatic dogs in a new endemic focus of visceral leishmaniasis in Iran

Visceral Leishmaniasis [Kala-azar] is a serious health problem in some northern and south western parts of Iran. The incidence of kala-azar caused by Leishmania infantum has recently increased in Nourabad-Mamassani district of Fars Province, in the south of the country. This study was designed to determine the role of asymptomatic dogs as host reservoir of L. infantum in this new formed focus and detection of prevalence of infection near them. A total of 20 asymptomatic stray and sheep dogs were randomly sampled. The Buffy coat layer of their peripheral blood was used for DNA extraction and PCR. A species specific seminested PCR was used for DNA amplification using LINR4, LIN17 and LIN19 primers. These primers amplified variable area of the minicircle kDNA of Leishmania parasites. Of the 20 sampled dogs checked for leishmanial kDNA, six [30%] were found naturally infected. It is concluded that, dogs [Canis familiaris] even if asymptomatic, is considered as the domestic host reservoir of kala-azar in this endemic focus

[Phlebotomus [Paraphlebotomus] alexandri, the probable vector of visceral leishmaniasis [kalaazar] in southern Iran]

Visceral leishmaniasis [kala-azar], the most dangerous form of leishmaniasis, is endemic in some parts of Iran, e.g. Ardabil, Fars, East Azerbaijan, Bushehr and Qom provinces. In recent years, the incidence of VL has increased in the Nourabad-Mamassani district in Fars Province. This study was carried out to detect VL vectors and infection rates in this region over the 2003-2004 period. Sand flies were captured in the selected villages by means of sticky traps, aspirators and CDC miniature light traps. Heads and distal abdominal segments were used for species identification and other body parts were used for DNA extraction. We employed a semi-nested PCR technique to detect Leishmania, with specific kDNA primers [LIN R4 - LIN 17 - LIN19]. Some specimens were dissected for leptomonad infection. A total of 12688 sand flies were collected. Phlebotomus [Paraphlebotomus] alexandri was the second most prevalent species [17.34%]. The anthropophilic index of this species was 32.5%. Five cases [4.17%] of L. infantum infection were detected among the 120 P. alexandri examined by PCR method. We also observed two cases of leptomonad infection among the 112 dissected specimens. High prevalence rates and anthropophilic index of P. alexandri plus its natural infection with L. infantum provide enough evidence to implicate this species as the main vector species of VL in the region and the second proven kala-azar vector in Iran. Besides, the Mahoor-Milaty district of Noorabad-Mamassani was identified as a new endemic focus