Ecology of malaria vector Anopheles culicifacies in a malarious area of Sistan va Baluchestan province, south-east Islamic Republic of Iran

A study was done of the bionomics, insecticide susceptibility and irritability status of Anopheles culicifacies in Sistan va Baluchestan province. Sampling was performed to determine the following parameters: species identification, seasonal activity, adult and larval susceptibility tests, irritability tests, anthropophily index and sporozoite rate. An. culicifacies adults were susceptible to all tested pyrethroid insecticides. An. culicifacies started to appear indoors in late May, showing 2 peaks in June and September. Fenitrothion, cyfluthrin and permethrin had the least irritancy effect and DDT the highest. Only 2/860 females tested were infected with Plasmodium spp. [sporozoite rate: 0.25%]. EL1SA testing of 250 blood meals derived from night-biting collections of female mosquitoes from humans and cows revealed that only 12.5% were human-fed

Temperature requirements of some common forensically important blow and flesh flies [diptera] under laboratory conditions

The aim of his study was to determine development time and thermal requirements of three myiasis flies including Chrysomya albiceps, Lucilia sericata, and Sarcophaga sp. Rate of development [ROD] and accumulated degree day [ADD] of three important forensic flies in Iran, Chrysomya albiceps, Lucilia sericata, and Sarcophaga sp. by rearing individuals under a single constant temperature [28°C] was calculated using specific formula for four developmental events including egg hatching, larval stages, pupation, and eclosion. Rates of development decreased step by step as the flies grew from egg to larvae and then to adult stage; however, this rate was bigger for blowflies [C. albiceps and L. sericata] in comparison with the flesh fly Sarcophaga sp. Egg hatching, larval stages, and pupation took about one fourth and half of the time of the total pre-adult development time for all of the three species. In general, the flesh fly Sarcophaga sp. required more heat for development than the blowflies. The thermal constants [K] were 130-195, 148-222, and 221-323 degree-days [DD] for egg hatching to adult stages of C. albiceps, L. sericata, and Sarcophaga sp., respectively. This is the first report on thermal requirement of three forensic flies in Iran. The data of this study provide preliminary information for forensic entomologist to establish PMI in the area of study

Residual effects of deltamthrin WG 25% as a new formulation on different surfaces against anopheles stephensi, in Southeastern Iran

Indoor residual spraying [IRS] is functioned as national interventions against malaria in southeastern foci of Iran and deltamethrin WP one of the insecticides have been used since past decade. In this study, the residual activity of the wettable granule [WG] was studied on different surfaces in hut scale trial against Anopheles stephensi in Iranshahr district, southeastern Iran. Three dosages of 25, 40 and 50 mg a.i./m2 of deltamethrin WG 25% formulation were applied on plaster, cement, mud, and wooden surfaces using Hudson[Registered] X-pert compression sprayer having 10 litters capacity. The residual effects of deltamethrin WG 25% on different surfaces was assessed based on reduction of mortality An. stepehnsi from 100% to about 70%. At 25, 40 and 50 mg a.i./m2 the WG formulation of deltamethrin had a bioefficacy for about 2, 3 and 4 months respectively. There was an expectable fluctuation in mortality of An. stephensi at different sprayed surfaces as well as dosages. The proposed 50 mg/m2 WG is the longest activity for up to 4 months which needs to be applied for two spraying cycles per year at the climatically condition of southwestern Iran

Faunestic study of ants with emphasis on the health risk of stinging ants in Qeshm Island, Iran

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

Deltamethrin impregnated bed nets in a malaria control program in Chabahar, southeast Baluchistan, I.R. Iran

A field trial was carried out in the Chabahar District of Sistan and Baluchistan Province, southeastern Iran on the efficacy of mosquito nets treated with a suspension formulation of deltamethrin [K-O THRIN[R]] against malaria vectors. Treated nets were used in three villages, and in the two control villages, one used untreated nets and the other used indoor spraying with deltamethrin [WP 10%], without nets. Treatment of polyester mosquito net with a target dose of 25 mg/m[2] active ingredient, carried out in mid-April 2005. Bioassays repeated on domestically used nets over 7 months showed persistence of almost 100% mortality of Anopheles Stephensi over this period. Adult mosquitoes were collected by pyrethroid space spray catch of living quarters and stables, cattle bait and pit shelter catches. Overall, An. culicifacies Giles s.l. predominated [49.8%], followed by An. stephensi Liston s.l.[36.9%], An. pulcherrimus Theobald [7.3%], An. dthali Patton [5.7%] and An. fluviatilis James [0.3%]. Acknowledge, Attitude and Practice [KAP] study showed that about 97% of respondents in communities agreed that they would like to participate in malaria control activities such as personal protection using impregnation bed net. Therefore, in planning for future large scale trials, comparison of new compounds and formulations such as tablets and long lasting insecticides impregnated bed net is recommended

[Comparison of knowledge, attitude and practice [KAP] regarding malaria transmission and protection between afghan refugees and Iranian residents in Iranshahr, 2005-2006]

The aim of present study is to compare Afghan refugees and Iranian residents in terms of their knowledge, attitude and practice concerning malaria transmission and protection in an endemic area in Southeast Iran. This cross sectional study was conducted over a period of 10 months [2004-2005] and involved a total of 775 people, including Iranian and Afghan subjects. The age range of participants was 15 to 55 years. Data collection was done through a structured questionnaire consisting of open and close questions and comprising several, namely personal characteristics details, history of malaria infection and treatments, type of residence, mobility, self protection, facilities, and access to health services. Both Iranians and Afghans were familiar with the three typical symptoms of the disease [fever, chills and muscle aches]: 67.1% of Iranians and 78% of Afghans were able to name least one of the three typical symptoms. In both groups the majority of subjects were aware that malaria transmission occurs through mosquito bite but there was a significant difference regarding knowledge of malaria transmission [CHI2 = 142.2, P<0.001]. Chi-square test for goodness of fit showed that the distribution of symptom indicators is significantly different between the two groups. For Iranians, the most important source of information about malaria was the health facilities [44.5% of the total] while most Afghans [65.3%] had obtained the information through friends and relatives. In both groups, the mass media had acted as the source of information in only 3.4%. Altogether, 24% of the participants reported the use of mosquito bed nets; almost 90% of Afghans and 62% of Iranians said that they did not used bed nets at all. However, the number of Iranians who used bed nets was four times greater than the Afghans who did so. Although the majority of subjects were familiar with malaria transmission and protection methods, they largely neglected safety precautions. Moreover, it seems that the high prevalence of malaria among Afghans is due to their life style rather than cross-border travel. The study also revealed that Afghan people have poor communication with the local health facilities, a point that must receive special attention in future malaria control programs

[ comparison of different membranes and blood for artificial feeding system of a stephensi]

The efficiency of artificial feeding system of mosquitoes kept in insectrium depends on its technology of designing, king of membrane and food quality. This study was conducted to find the best membrane and food regimen among three prevalent membranes [Parafilm "M", sheep intestine and chicken skin]. Numbers of attracted mosquitoes were recorded in one hour of exposure as a measure of comparisons. The experiment was conducted in constant circumstances of insectrium [temperature: 28+2C and relative humidity: 70%+ 10%]. Each experiment contained three replicates a lot of 20 non-blood_fed[sugar fed] 4-5 days old Anopheles stephensi. In statistical of the results of comparing membranes there was not any significant difference between the mean [P=0.07]. However, statistical analysis of the results of comparing bloods revealed that the difference between the means is meaningful. Considering the obtained results and the experiments "M" as an applicable membrane and sheep defibrinate blood as a suitable food regimen is recommended for artificial feeding of an, stephensi