ABSTRACT
In spite of public health level improvement in Iran, Malaria is still an important health problem in the southeast corner of the country. Mapping distribution of endemic diseases with their relations to geographical factors has become important for public health experts. This study was carried out to provide the distribution maps of the geographical pathology of Malaria in Iran with emphasis on its vectors. A systematic literature review was performed and the data and/or metadata were used for evaluation of findings. All available articles and books were used for mapping vectors and parasites, data of Malaria cases were obtained from Iran Center for Diseases Control, Ministry of Health in 2010. Incidence or prevalence of the diseases and also scientific names of vectors with collection details were arranged and mapped as a shapefile in ArcGIS software. About 28 different Anopheles species are found in Iran. Seven maps provided for the main vectors in the country. Distribution maps generated for Plasmodium falciparum, P. vivax and co- infection cases. Distribution maps of transmission and endemic areas are provided. Out of 11668 indigenous and transmitted malaria from imported cases in three years leading to 2010, about 9400 cases occurred in south parts of the country where the weather is influenced by Afrotropical zoogeographic region, while 2200 cases occurred in the southeast corner of the country where the weather is influenced by Indo-malayan and only 25 cases were reported in the typical Palearctic area of Iran. Most malaria cases occurred in the southeast corner in Sistan Baluchistan, Hormozgan and south parts of Kerman. There are similarities between malaria transmission conditions in Iran and many tropical and subtropical countries. Such information on vectors, incidence of all cases and environmental factors can be used to set a Malaria Early Warning System and help to prevent and control of malaria
ABSTRACT
Malaria remains an important vector-borne disease globally and is a threat for human life. Forty percent of the world's populations who are living in low-income countries are at risk of malaria. The disease exists in Iran and caused economic and social damages. As result of malaria control program that has been done during the past years, the disease is eliminated from the most parts of the country, so that it is only reporting from a small part in these years. During this study, all available papers, books and thesises were reviewed and articles from Iranmedex, DIS and PubMed databanks were also used. Furthermore the related reports from different sources were noted. The extensive studies have important information about malaria vectors. In this study the data about malaria vectors and related training courses are listed. During this study the related papers, Books and thesises which have been reviewed. Although efforts, surveillance system, diagnostic and treatment facilities, as well as knowledge and attitude of peoples regarding to health behavior are improved nowadays, there are significant improvements about decreasing the malaria cases. Risk of the disease exists because of population exchange and asymptomatic cases. The malaria can be studied with both public health and economical aspects. This paper represents entomological studies of malaria during 1935 by the end of 2008. our study revealed that, based on recent malaria national program, the authorities should make an emphasis on vector control monitoring, resistance management, malaria evaluation and because of weak supervision on all malaria operation at stage of elimination of malaria, accurate and careful suppersional require to reach the objective and goal of elimination
ABSTRACT
A case of myiasis due to Musca domestica describes in Pseudocerastes persicus for the first time. The snake was found in Bari Karafs, Kashan, Iran, with a lesion on its body. Fourteen live larvae of M. domestica removed from its wound. This is the first report of a new larval habitat of M. domestica
ABSTRACT
Scorpions are important venomous arthropods which kill many people annually globally. Scorpion sting is one of important health issues in subtropical area in south of Iran. Scorpions are subjects of many studies conducted before in many parts of Iran. The aims of this study were to find the dispersion and mapping the distribution of scorpion specimens based on published documents. In this study all published documents on Iranian scorpions which indexed with Iranmedex and PubMed including locally information and collection details were studied. Scientific names and collection details were arranged as a shape file in ArcGIS software and were mapped. Alternatively, a systematic literature review was preformed and the data and/or metadata were used for evaluation of the findings. Maps show the distribution of scorpions across Iran and provide preliminary information for its monitoring. Further prevention and control programs are needed. There was not considerable difference between the distribution of the studied specimens and the other information obtained from the other studies. The specimens of a few species which previously reported from some parts of Iran were not available. The existence of some species which was reported from different parts of the country needs to be confirmed by experts. It seems that more species of scorpions in Iran may found in central and south part of Iran and areas with low altitude
ABSTRACT
Appropriate methodology for storage biological materials, extraction of DNA, and proper DNA preservation is vital for studies involving genetic analysis of insects, bacteria, and reservoir hosts as well as for molecular diagnostics of pathogens carried by vectors and reservoirs. Here we tried to evaluate the utility of a simple filter paper-based for storage of insects, bacteria, rodent, and human DNAs using PCR assays. Total body or haemolymph of individual mosquitoes, sand flies or cockroaches squashed or placed on the paper respectively. Extracted DNA of five different bacteria species as well as blood specimens of human and great gerbil Rhombomys opimus was pipetted directly onto filter paper. The papers were stored in room temperature up to 12 months during 2009 until 2011. At monthly intervals, PCR was conducted using a 1-mm disk from the DNA impregnated filter paper as target DNA. PCR amplification was performed against different target genes of the organisms including the ITS2-rDNA of mosquitoes, mtDNA-COI of the sand flies and cockroaches, 16SrRNA gene of the bacteria, and the mtDNA-CytB of the vertebrates. Successful PCR amplification was observed for all of the specimens regardless of the loci, taxon, or time of storage. The PCR amplification were ranged from 462 to 1500 bp and worked well for the specified target gene/s. Time of storage did not affect the amplification up to one year. The filter paper method is a simple and economical way to store, to preserve, and to distribute DNA samples for PCR analysis
ABSTRACT
Plant extracts and oils may act as alternatives to conventional pesticides for malaria vector control. The aim of this study was to evaluate the larvicidal activity of essential oils of three plants of Apiaceae family against Anopheles stephensi, the main malaria vector in Iran. Essential oils from Heracleum persicum, Foeniculum vulgare and Coriandrum sativum seeds were hydro distillated, then their larvicidal activity were evaluated against laboratory-reared larvae of An. stephensi according to standard method of WHO. After susceptibility test, results were analysis using Probit program. Essential oils were separated from H. persicum, F. vulgare and C. sativum plants and their larvicidal activities were tested. Result of this study showed that F. vulgare oil was the most effective against An. stephensi with LC[50] and LC[90] values of 20.10 and 44.51 ppm, respectively. All three plants essential oil can serve as a natural larvicide against An. stephensi. F. vulgare oil exhibited more larvicidal properties
ABSTRACT
Far from the economic importance, rodents can play an important role in distribution of some infectious diseases, called Rodent borne diseases. These diseases are also considered as zoonosis. Some of these diseases can transmitted from other animals to humans, but rodents considered as the reservoir host of Rodent borne diseases. Knowledge on rodents' reservoir and their distributions will provide a clue for people who work in the field such as farmers and soldiers. The importance of rodents and plague has been uncovered to people particularly in wartime. The experiences of the Imposed War also indicated the widespread of exposure of fully trained military units to cutaneous leishmaniasis; it was due to the trench construction and destruction of rodent borrows and nests near the endemic areas in Shoosh [hills of Do-salak]. Apart from the name Do-salak, which refer to the endemicity of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Persian word, there are other diseases indicate the role of rodents reservoirs during the wartime such as plague, tick- borne relapsing fever, murine typhus and some parasitic diseases.However, the prevention of such diseases should be started in peacetime with increase in knowledge particularly in geography and biology of rodents among peers and practitioners who work in the military medicine teams. Although a Comprehensive study that had conducted by Etemad in 1977, provided a baseline information in Iran, but there is still need for updating the information. The aim of this study is mapping the distribution of 17 important species rodents using ArcGIS software. In this approach, we provided distribution maps for 17 medically important species of rodents in the country
Subject(s)
Animals , Disease ReservoirsABSTRACT
Qeshm [26.75N, 55.82E], Iran, is 1500 km[2] island in the Strait of Hormuz. Qeshm is a free trade zone, acting as an important channel for international commerce, and has been the site of much recent development. There is potential risk of stinging ant attacks for residents and visitors that may occur in the island. The aims of this study were to find out the fauna, dispersion, and some of the biological features of ant species with special attention to those, which can play role on the public health of the island. In this cross-sectional study, we surveyed ants around the island using non-attractive pitfall traps and active collection to evaluate potential threats to humans and other species during 2006-2007. All collected specimens were identified using the morphological ant keys. Only six ant species were found: Pachycondyla sennaarensis [41%], Polyrhachis lacteipennis [23%], Camponotus fellah [16%], Cataglyphis niger [9%], Tapinoma simrothi [7%], and Messor galla [4%]. We were surprised not to find any cosmopolitan tramp ants so often associated with commerce and development. Instead, all six species may be native to the Middle Eastern region. The most common species, P. sennaarensis, has a powerful sting and appears to do well around human habitations. This species may prove to be a serious pest on the island
Subject(s)
Insecta , Insect Bites and Stings/complications , Cross-Sectional Studies , Public HealthABSTRACT
The members of Anopheles maculipennis subgroup [Diptera: Culicidae] are the most important vectors of malaria in the north, west, and central plateau of Iran. This study was carried out to differentiate the species composition of this subgroup based on morphometric variation seta 2-IV and V [antepalmate hair] among 149 larval specimens that were deposited at the Medical Arthropods Museum, the School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences by using the light microscope. The mean numbers of larval seta 2-IV and V of the specimens belong to different locations of Iran, were calculated by SPSS [11.5] software package, followed by cluster analysis, and four different groups [clusters] were identified. The means were compared with the similar and available published data. After analyzing, four clusters recognized. The first cluster was fitted in ten localities in Esfahan, East Azarbaijan, West Azarbaijan, Khorassan, Kurdistan, and Mazandaran Provinces with its mean and standard deviation [SD] of 14.89 +/- 1.13 [n= 79]; the second group with one location in Gilan Province [11 +/- 1.58, no= 5]; the third one with two locations in Pars and Western Azarbaijan Provinces [27.43 +/- 0.31, n=20], and the final group with four locations in Khuzestan, West Azarbaijan, and Qazvin Provinces [36.84 +/- 1.91, n= 45] were identified and corresponded to Anopheles messeae, An. atroparvus, An. melanoon, and An. sacharovi respectively. This work provides comparative information on the Maculipennis Subgroup based on morphometric examination at the larval stage in Iran
Subject(s)
Insecta , Culicidae , Larva , Malaria , Disease VectorsABSTRACT
A diagnostic polymerase chain reaction [PCR] assay using species-specific primers and direct sequencing was used to identify members of the Anopheles maculipennis complex in the north-west and central regions of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Specimens were collected from 9 provinces during 2 seasonal activities in 2001-2002, identified morphologically and subjected to PCR assay and direct sequencing. Results showed that only 2 species, An. maculipennis Meigen, and An. sacharovi Faver, were present in the area of study. This was confirmed by the high similarity [99.2%-100%] of their sequences with those available in GenBank. The molecular data and relative distribution of these species in relation to their vectorial capacity and the epidemiology of malaria in the region are discussed