ABSTRACT
Objective: To delineate reliable morphological characteristics for identifying and separating female Phlebotomus caucasicus and Phlebotomus mongolensis which exist sympatrically in the main foci of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis in Iran. Methods: Sand flies were collected using sticky trap papers from active colonies of rodent burrows installed from 16 catching sites. Morphometric measurements were analyzed of 87 Phlebotomus caucasicus and 156 Phlebotomus mongolensis. Univariate and multivariate analysis were carried out to determine significant morphometric variables for discrimination of the two species. Finally, seven morphological characteristics of 65 female Phlebotomus caucasicus and 124 female Phlebotomus mongolensis were described. Results: Univariate and multivariate analyses of 10 morphometric variables via Discriminant Function Analysis (DFA) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) showed that five morphometric variables had an accuracy of 100% for discriminating female Phlebotomus caucasicus and Phlebotomus mongolensis. Moreover, PCA revealed that the five morphometric variables with the highest loadings separated these two species. Morphological studies on antennal flagellum (and its associated structures) and mouth-parts of female specimens demonstrated significant differences in several structures. Conclusions: The results show that morphological and morphometrical features can be used to discriminate two female isomorphic species, Phlebotomus caucasicus and Phlebotomus mongolensis accurately.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To clarify the epidemiological aspects of visceral leishmaniasis in Kaleybar and Khoda-Afarin districts, north-west of Iran. Methods: A total of 1 420 human (children under 12 years) samples, 101 domestic dogs samples (Canis familiaris), and 577 female sand fly samples were collected. Sera of human and dogs were tested using the direct agglutination test, and sand flies were identified at species level using the microscopic method. Furthermore, a structured questionnaire was applied to evaluate the correlation between the potential risk factors and the related clinical signs/ symptoms with the human and dogs' seropositivity. Results: Totally, 2.18% of human samples were positive at titers≥: 800; among them, 13 cases (41.94%) were above 1:3 200, and clinical symptoms were observed in all of them except for an 11-year old girl. Anti-Leishmania infantum antibodies were found at titers ≥1: 320 in 9.90% of dogs' samples, half of them had at least one sign of canine visceral leishmaniasis. Moreover, 10 Phlebotomus species were identified in the study areas, and Phlebotomus (Larroussius) major group was the predominant species. There are significant correlations between the presence of anti-Leishmania infantum antibodies and the fever (P<0.001), anemia (P=0.001) and weight loss (P=0.016) in children. On the other hand, significant correlations were revealed between the Leishmania infection and the shelter (P=0.039), cutaneous lesion (P=0.005), lymphadenopathy (P=0.001) and weight loss (P<0.001) in the infected dogs. Conclusions: Visceral Leishmania infection is prevalent in rural areas of Kaleybar and Khoda- Afar districts located in East-Azerbaijan province, therefore active detection and treatment of visceral leishmaniasis cases should not be neglected.
ABSTRACT
Background: Pediculosis capitis is a common parasitic infection of children, which has been neglected in many areas as well in Shahriar County, Tehran province. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of pediculosis capitis among pupils in primary schools of Shahriar County
Materials and Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted in Shahriar for the period of 2012 to 2013. Data were collected by questionnaires and direct head inspection. The prevalence rate was determined in three primary schools and 750 girls participated, which were selected by a randomized cluster method. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences [SPSS16] and Chi-square test
Results: Among the 750 girls who were examined, head pediculosis was observed in 36 cases [4.8%]. There was a significant relationship between head lice infestation and two factors, father's job and using private tools in hair salon
Conclusion: The results showed that pediculosis capitis could be a potentially health threatening problem for school children. It is necessary to give health education to families in order to prevent pediculosis in the study areas
Subject(s)
Humans , Female , Child , Lice Infestations/epidemiology , Prevalence , Schools , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
Background and Objectives: Two clinical forms of leishmaniasis exist in Iran: cutaneous and visceral. According to the sporadic reports of new cases of Visceral Leishmaniasis [VL] in Lorestan province, real status of VL is not clear, so this study aimed to describe the seroprevalence of VL in Delphan city
Materials and Methods: In this descriptive analytic study, blood samples were collected from children /= 1/3200 accompanied with clinical symptoms was considered as VL diseas
Results: 800 collected serum samples, 21[2.62%] showed anti-Leishmania antibodies at titers of 1/800 and 1/1600, whereas 5[0.62%] showed anti-Leishmania antibodies at titers of ?1/3200. But just one of them showed clinical symptoms [anemia and large abdominal] which is under treatment with miltefosine
Conclusion: A new focus of VL with low endemicity is going to be formed in our region, which showed that further studies on vector and reservoirs is necessary in the region and other parts of Lorestan province
ABSTRACT
Leis mania is one of the most important diseases in Iran, with high prevalence in some part of country including, Tehran province this study was aimed to investigate the cutaneous lesions of patients studies was also referred to different 1aporatory of Health center of Vermin [a city In Tehran province], sand flies species m selected area. In this cross sectional study demographic data was collected by special questionnaire. Smears of suspected patients to stained and examined by microscope Sand flies were collected by sticky traps CDC light haps and aspirators, female specimens mere mounted and identified by diagnostic keys at species level Leis mania parasites were observed m 56 820 of cases. Disease was more common among male [64%] the majority of patients [3094] aged between 25-39 year old. Most lesions [50%] observed in hands and legs of patients, 76% of affected people had lust one lesion Half of them had a history of travel to endemic areas. More than 2500 sand flies captured during this study; among them 1100 female specimens were mounted and identified The prevalent spicies was Sergentomyia spp [65/9%], the second was papatasi [33/20%]. It should be mentioned that Ph sergenti, Ph alexandri and Ph caucasicus group also were identified in lower percentage According to current results and the status of the studied region including it seems that [Agricultural Activities animal husbandry and migration] cutaneous leishmaniasis could be a health threatening problem