ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To determine ecology and characteristics of the larval habitats of the genus Anopheles (Dipetra: Culicidae) in Aligudarz County, western Iran.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>This descriptive cross-sectional research was carried out to study the anopheline larvae ecology in seven rural districts, Aligudarz County, from late April to late November 1997. Larvae were captured using the dipping method. Larval breeding places characteristics were noted according to water situation (turbid or clean, stagnant or running), substrate type, site type (man-made or natural), sunlight situation, site situation (transient or permanent, with or without vegetation).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 9 620 3rd and 4th instar larvae of Anopheles from 115 breeding places in 22 villages were captured, which belonged to the following species: Anopheles stephensi, Anopheles d'thali, Anopheles apoci, Anopheles superpictus (forms A and B), Anopheles marterii sogdianus, Anopheles turkhodi, Anopheles maculipennis S.L and Anopheles claviger. Anopheles stephensi, Anopheles maculipennis S.L and Anopheles apoci were collected for the first time in this county. Anopheles superpictus (93.18%) was the most prevailed one and dispersed over the entire region. Larval habitats consisted of nine natural and three artificial larval habitats. The most important larval habitats were river edges (54.8%), rice fields (12.2%), and grassland (8.7%) with permanent or transient, stagnant or running and clean water, with or without vegetation, sand or mud substrate in full sunlight area.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Regarding this research, river edges and rice fields are the most important breeding places of malaria vectors in Aligudarz County. It is worthy of note in larvicidal programs.</p>
ABSTRACT
Objective: To determine brucellosis's epidemiologic, laboratory, diagnostic and public health features considering brucellosis is endemic in Azna County, western Iran. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was investigated on 43 patients with brucellosis in Azna County. The subjects were the patients with symptoms correspondent with brucellosis and positive Wright and 2ME tests. A questionnaire about demographic, epidemiological and laboratory findings was filled in. Afterwards, patients were treated using usual antimicrobial drugs regimen. The collected data were analyzed by SPSS software version 16. Results:Forty-three subjects were found to be positive in laboratory tests. Incidence of Brucellosis was 59.31 per hundred thousand population. About 34.9% of patients were female and 65.1% male. Nearly 95.2 % of human cases were living in rural and 4.8 % in urban areas. Around 20.9% of patients had history of animal contact. The commonest transmission was unpasteurized dairy products (79.1%). The most contagious seasons were summer and spring (60.3%). The most common age group was 15-24 (27.9%), and about 60.5% of the patients were between 15-44 years old. Disease was more common among housewives (30.2%) and farmers (20.9%). The majority of the patients had Wright test titre=1:320 (54.1%) and 2ME test titre=1:160 (56.1%) in serological titration. Doxycycline with Rifampin was used for treatment of the greatest of patients (60.4%). Conclusions:In order to control this zoonotic disease, close cooperation of health and veterinary organizations is necessary.
ABSTRACT
Study on ecology and larval habitats of anopheline mosquitoes are important in terms of some aspects such as, vector control through manipulation and modification of these habitats that can reduce the burdens of mosquito-borne diseases. Given the likelihood of malaria epidemy, this work has been conducted to study anopheline mosquito fauna, larval habitat features and seasonal activity of the genus Anopheles in the Mahroo and Sepid - Dasht rural districts, Luristan province. This descriptive cross-sectional investigation was done from April to November 2001-2002. Larvae were collected by means of dipper and dropper from breeding places using the standard dipping technique, every two weeks. The third and fourth instar anopheline larvae were preserved in Lactophenol and identified into species using morphological characters. Larval habitat characteristics were recorded. A total of 4376 Anopheles larvae were collected. Five species and two morphological forms were found which include Anopheles superpictus Grassi form A [76.3%], A. dthali Patton [9.7%], A.turkhudi Liston [8.5%], A. marteri Senevet and Prunelle [4%], A. superpictus Grassi form B [1.1%] and A. apoci Marsh [0.4%]. In these districts, anopheline larval activity began in early May and ended in early November. In this paper, the characteristics of larval habitats of any species have been discussed separately. The main larval habitats of important vector of the region, A. superpictus, were determined river sides, stream margins and rice fields. The findings of this research can be used to manage control of vectors.