Ecological characteristics of sand flies in Golestan province, Iran [2011]

Leishmaniasis is one of the main Zoonotic Vector-Born disease which is transmitted by sand flies to human and animals. This study was carried out to determine the ecological characteristics of sand flies in Golestan province, North of Iran. In this descriptive study, 3 villages in Aliabad Katul district in north of Iran were selected according to rural geography distribution and positive detected samples of human infection during 2010-02. Sand flies were collected by sticky traps. Three places were sampled in each village and in indoor and outdoor places 10 traps were installed. Sand flies were collected and their species was determined. Totally 299 sand flies [160 from indoors and 139 from outdoors] were collected and consequently, 7 species of sandflies were identified including 4 species of phlebotomus genus and 3 species of Sergentomiya genus Ph.papatasi [55%] and S.sintoni [51%] were predominant species in indoor resting places and outdoor places, respectively. Sand flies seasonal activity extended from mid May through early October. Sand flies had one peak of activity in early August. Among the detected species, S.hodgsoni reported for first time from Golestan province. Ph.papatasi was recognized as predominant species in Aliabad Katul district, Golestan provincein northern Iran

[ study of physical and chemical factors affecting breeding places of anopheles in Iranshahr]

Malaria is one of the most important health problems in many countries as well as Iran, especially in southern Iran. Considering the role of Anopheles in transmission chain of the disease, this study aims at determining effective physical and chemical factors in breeding places of Anopheles' larve in Iranshahr. 68 samples including 63 from breeding places of larve and five samples from ponds with no larve were collected from different regions of Iranshahr as control group. Each sample of the study contained one from those of water and the other from larve group which were collected scientifically. Experiments conducted on water sample included PH, electrical conductivity, Nitrate, Nitrite, Sulphate, Chloride, Calcium, rigidity, salinity, darkness, and Phosphate. In this study 8 out of 13 species of Anopheles which had already been reported in the region were collected. The results obtained indicate that there is significant difference between mean physical and chemical factors of control group samples and samples. Collected from breeding places of larve. The range of variables such as electrical conductivity, total rigidity, Calcium, Chloride, Sulphate. Nitrate in breeding places without larve is more than 2 and xometimes 20 times while in regard with darkness and phosphates it is the reverse. Components such as Phosphate, electrical conductivity, and Calciumin larve life of anopheles were of great influence as the most important carrier of Malaria in the region. The results showed that large quantities of the above agents can play inhibiting role for any kind of Aanophelines species. Whereas existence of nitrite in large quantities in water was one of the few components that plays positive role in mosquitoes life