Study on presence of borrelia persica in soft ticks in Western Iran

A molecular survey was conducted to investigate the presence of pathogenic Borrelia persica species causing the tick borne relapsing fever [TBRF] in Takistan district Qazvin Province, western Iran. A number of 1021 soft ticks were collected from 31 villages including previously reported infected and none-infected TBRF cases and individually examined for the presence of B. persica DNA by conventional PCR targeting the 16SrRNA. A total of 1021 soft ticks of three species of Ornithodouros tholozani [120: 11.75%]. O. lahorensis [461: 45.15%] and Argaspersicus [440: 43.1%] were collected and tested against Borrelia infection. Soft ticks were more prevalent [67%] in infected areas than none infected areas. The rate O. tholozani in infected areas was much greater [29 times] than none infected areas. Ninety seven percent of soft ticks in none infected areas were of O. tholozani. Sixteen [16.7%] ticks of tested [n=95] O, tholozani were infected with B. persica. Three [1.3%] out of 205 soft ticks of O. lahorensis were positive for Borrelia sp., and no infection was observed in A persicus. Taq/ RFLP analysis and sequence analysis of the positive PCR products showed the presence of B. persica. The RFLP analysis showed that the positive ticks of O. lahorensis were infected with unknown Borrelia species. This study showed that although there were no TBRF cases in Takisan. but still infected O. tholozani, the known vector of TBRF. presented in the region. Control measures needs to be fulfilled in Thakisan

Tick infestation rate of sheep and their distribution in abdanan county, ham province, Iran, 2007-2008

Ticks are hematophagous arthropod belonging to the Class of Arachnids. Ticks are also one of the major vectors of pathogens to animal and human. This study was conducted to determine tick infestation rate of sheep in Abdanan during 2007-2008. Sampling was performed seasonally in 19 villages during spring 2007 until winter 2008. A total of 1095 sheep were selected and tested for tick infestation. After collection, all ticks were transported to laboratory of Medical Entomology and were identified with appropriate identification keys. Totally, 864 hard ticks were collected. The ticks were classified into two genera and 5 species including: Hyalomma marginalum [44.67%], Hy. anatolicum [43.17%], Hy.asiaticwn [6.37%], Hy. dromedarii [5.55%], Hea-maphysalis sulcata [0.24%]. The highest seasonal activity was observed in spring [36.46%] and the lowest seasonal was in winter [11.57%]. The rate of tick frequency in mountainous region was 48.15% and it was 51.85% in plateau regions. In this study, tick infestation of sheep was 11.41%. Hy.marginatum has the more frequent density in the study area

Hard ticks on domestic ruminants and their seasonal population dynamics in Yazd Province, Iran

Ticks are the main vectors for transmission of different pathogens to human and animals. This survey was carried out distribution of ticks, which infested the domestic ruminants in Yazd Province, central Iran during year 2008-2009. A total number of 30 villages form both mountainous and [20%] plateau[80%] regions of the province were selected randomly. Ticks were colleted from the body of infested animals and transported to the Laboratory of Medical Entomology, School of Public Health, Tehran university of Medical Sciences and then were identified using valid identification key. A total of 583 hard ticks were collected. The ticks were classified into three genera and 7 species including: Hyalomma dromedarii [55.92%], Hyalomma marginatum [13.20%], Hy. anatolicum [9.78%], Hy. detritum [4.98%], Hyalomma asiaticum [3.94%] Rhipicephalus sanguineus [11.84%] and Dermacentor marginatus [0.34%]. The highest seasonal activities occurred in summer. The prevalence of the Ixodidae ticks was more evident in plateaus area in Yazd Province. Among the hosts including: cow, goat, sheep and camel, the ticks that collected from camel was more prevalent. The ratio of male was more than female ticks. Hyalomma dromedarii was the predominant tick species and accounted for 55.92% of the ticks. Some of the collected ticks may play an important role for transmission of vector borne disease to human; therefore, the results of this study will provide a clue for vectors of tick-borne diseases in the region for local authorities for implementation of disease control

Study on ectoparasites of rhombomys opimus, the main reservoir of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis in endemic foci in Iran

Ectoparasites of mammalian hosts play an important role for transmission of diseases from the host reservoirs to human. The aim of this study was to determine the species composition and infestation parameters for parasitic arthropods associated with Rhombomys opimus. Ectoparasites of R. opimus were collected from seven endemic district of ZCL in Iran including Shirvan and Sfaraysen in North Khorasan Province, Kalaleh in Golestan Province, Damghan and Shahrood in Semnan Province, and Badrood and Habibabad in Isfahan Province. The areas of study were mainly desert and plain. Rodents were captured using Sherman life traps during active seasons from May to November 2008. Captured rodents were transported to laboratory and their ectoparasites were picked up using brushing against the fur of the rodents. Ectoparasites were stored in 70% ethanol for their preservation and then identified based on morphological characters. Ectoparasites belonged to one flea species of Xenopsylla nuttalli and one mite species of Ornithonussus bacoti. The flea species with 75.3% was more common than the mite. O. bacoti might play an important role in transmission of rat mite dermatitis among R. opimus colony. Results will provide an essential clue for combating zoonotic diseases in the region

Ectoparasites of rodents captured in Bandar Abbas, Southern Iran

Rodents play important role as hot of ectoparasites and reservoir of different zoonotic diseases. The aim of this study was to asses the infestation of commensal rodents with ectoparasites in Bandar Abbas, a port city located in the northern part of the Persian Gulf in Iran. Rodents were captured using live traps during the study period in year 2007. after transferring the rodents to the laboratory, they were identified and then their ectoparasites were collected and mounted for species identification using appropriate systematic keys. A total of 77 rodents were identified including Rattus norvegicus [74%], R. rattus [16.9%], Mus musculus [7.8%] and one hamster. Among all rodents, 40.3% were found infested with ectoparasites. A total of 6 ectoparasites were collected comprising flea, lice, mite and tick. Two species fleas; Xenopsylaa cheopis and X. astia were identified with higher index of X. astia. Two genera of ticks including Hyalomma sp. And Rhipicephalus sp. Were identified. Laelaps nuttalli was the only mite found. The Polyplax spinulosa was considered as lice ectoparasite. Among all arthropods collected, flea and lice had the most and the least frequency, respectively. Nearly all rodent species were infested with Xenopsylla. These fleas are important due to their role in plague and murine ty-phus transmission. Ticks are important due to their role in CCHF [Crimean-Cong Hemorrhagic Fever], theileriosis, babesiosis, anaplasmosis and ehrlichiosis transmission. Monitoring of ectoparaiste infestation is important for preparedness and early warning preparation for possible control of arthropod-borne diseases

Seasonal activity of ticks and their importance in tick- borne infectious diseases in west Azerbaijan, Iran

West Azerbaijan is considered as a main region for domestic animal breeding. Due to importance of herd as a main host and ticks as a vector of relapsing fever and CCHF, a comprehensive study was undertaken in the region. Outdoor, indoor collection as well as ticks stick to the animals' body were collected and identified. The study was conducted during the whole seasons in 2004-2005. During four seasons a total of 2728 ticks of two families [Ixodidae and Argasidae] were collected comprising 7 genera of 5 hard ticks and two genera of soft ticks including Haemaphysalis, Hyalomma, Rhipicephalus, Boophilus and Dermacentor. The soft ticks were Ornithodoros and Argas. These 7 genera included 18 species. The main species were Haemaphysalis inermis, H. punctata, H. sulcata, H. numidiana, H. concinna, Hyalomma marginatum, Hy. anatolicum, Hy. detritum, Hy. dromedarii, Hy. asiaticum, Hy. schulzei, H. aegyptium, Rhipicephalus bursa, R. sangiuneus, Dermacentor marginatus, Boophilus annulatus, Ornithodoros lahorensis, and Argas persicus. Frequency of ticks during different seasons was different. A pyrethroid insecticide, cypermethrin, which is widely used for tick control was tested against soft ticks. The test method was based on WHO recommendation. At the LD50 level A. persicus needs more concentration than O. lahorensis. Ornithodoros and Argas are the more prevalent soft ticks in the region. Distribution and prevalence of hard ticks was varied in different seasons. Results of this study will provide a clue for vectors of tick-borne diseases in the region for local authorities for implementation of tick control

Determination of rodent ectoparasite Fauna in Sarpole-Zahab district, Kermanshah province, Iran, 2004-2005

Ectoparasites of various species of rodents were examined from Sarepole Zehab, Kermanshah Province Iran during 2005. This city is bordered with Iraq. A total of 139 rodents included 6 species of hosts were captured during all different seasons and examined for ectoparasites using live trap. The area of study was mainly plateu [70%] and mountanous. The hosts including: Microtus socialis, Mus musculus, Rattus rattus, Nesokia indica, Meriones persicus and Tatera indica. The 9 species of ectoparasites recovered included 3 fleas [Pulex irritans, Xenopsylla buxtoni, Nosopsyllus medus], one sucking lice [Polyplax spinolosa], two ticks [Rhipicephalus sp., Hyalomma sp.], and 3 mites [Lealaps nuttalli, Dermanysus sanguineus, Ornithonussus bacoti]. Among all arthropod collected, the lice and flea had the most and least frequency, i.e. 77.7% and 4.4%, respectively. The data showed that the ectoparasites on some rodent hosts tend to prefer particular host body sites, and that some ectoparasite species sites may overlap owing to their inaccessibility to the host

Survey on Fauna of Ticks in West Azerbaijan Province, Iran

Tick are considered as the main vector for transmission of various diseases to human being. This study was carried out to investigate the fauna of species belonging to two families of ticks, Ixodidae and Argasidae in west Azerbaijan province, Iran. A total number of 62 villages were selected r and omly, from the study area 3278 ticks were collected with cluster sampling method, after collection they were identified by morphological characteristics using stereomicroscope device. The ticks were classified into seven genera and 15 species including following species: Concerning Ixodidae families, Rhipicephalus [42%], Hyalomma [41%], Boophilus [7%], Dermacentor [7%], and Haemaphysalis [3%]. Genus Rhipicephalus, comprised R. bursa [73%], R. sanguineus [27%], had the highest prevalence in summer. The species of Hyalomma were H. asiaticum [27%], H. marginatum [25%], H. aegyptium [14%], H. dromedarii [13%], H. schulzei [12%] and H. detritum [9%]. Their peak frequency occurred in autumn. The single species of genus Boophilus was B. annulatus. Its activity occurred in spring and summer seasons. In genus Dermacentor, D. marginatus [61%] and D. niveus [39%] were total species of this genus that had the highest prevalence in summer and autumn. In genus Haemaphisalis, H. sulcata [61%] and H. inermis [39%] were recorded as the main species. Their highest seasonal frequency occurred in summer. Among soft ticks only Argas persicus and Ornithodoros lahorensis were collected. A.persicus was active during the summer and winter during the nights and the second species was active during the spring and winter. In conclusion, it should be emphasized that prevalence of the families Argazidae and Ixodidae ticks were more evident in mountainous area in west Azerbaijan province