Prevalence of cercarial dermatitis among paddy-field workers in central areas of mazandaran province

Cercarial dermatitis [CD] or swimmer's itch | is a hypersensitive reaction to the skin penetration of avian and herbivorous schistosomes, esp. genus Trichobilharzia. Owing to presence of both intermediate and final host of this parasite in North of Iran, we aimed at determining the prevalence of CD among paddy-field workers in central areas of Mazandaran Province. To perform this descriptive-cross sectional study, we refer to bird refuges of migrating water and Paddy-field around man-made ponds of Babol, Sari, Ghaemshahr and Savadkoh districts. The Hand and foot of the farmers were examined clinically for detection of infected people and their signs and symptoms were recorded on a sheet of paper. Based on the results, 77.5% of the workers suffer from CD. All of them are males and the majority of them are indigenous. High prevalence of Cercarial dermatitis among paddy-field workers led to a health dilemma. Thus, by increasing awareness of farmers, implementing suitable approaches, controlling the disease and sanitizing the contaminated areas can promote health situation

Molecular and seroepidemiological survey of visceral leishmaniasis among humans and domestic dogs in Mazandaran province, north of Iran

New cases of visceral leishmaniasis [VL] have been reported recently in some parts of Mazandaran Province, north of Iran where the first human case of VL was reported in 1949. This study aimed to determine the present status of Leishmania infantum infection among humans and domestic dogs using serological and molecular methods in central parts of Mazandaran Province. In this cross-sectional study, blood samples were randomly collected from 402 humans and fortynine domestic dogs throughout 2009 and 2010 in the central part of Mazandaran Province including Semeskadeh and Kiakola districts where recent cases of human visceral leishmaniasis had been reported there. All the collected samples were tested by direct agglutination test [DAT] for the detection of anti- Leishmania infantum antibodies as well as convenience PCR assay on whole blood samples for detection of leishmanial infection and identification of Leishmania species. None of 402 collected human [402] and dog [49] blood samples showed anti Leishmania infantum antibodies at titers 1:3200 and 1:320 as cut-off values of DAT, respectively but only 2 of domestic dogs [4.1%] were found PCR-positive corresponding to L .infantum. This study confirms the circulation of L. infantum at least among domestic dogs and highlights the sporadic pattern of VL in the studied areas. Further investigations regarding to sand flies fauna and wild canines as reservoir hosts of the disease, are recommended

seminested PCR based detection of Leishmania infantum infection in asymptomatic dogs in a new endemic focus of visceral leishmaniasis in Iran

Visceral Leishmaniasis [Kala-azar] is a serious health problem in some northern and south western parts of Iran. The incidence of kala-azar caused by Leishmania infantum has recently increased in Nourabad-Mamassani district of Fars Province, in the south of the country. This study was designed to determine the role of asymptomatic dogs as host reservoir of L. infantum in this new formed focus and detection of prevalence of infection near them. A total of 20 asymptomatic stray and sheep dogs were randomly sampled. The Buffy coat layer of their peripheral blood was used for DNA extraction and PCR. A species specific seminested PCR was used for DNA amplification using LINR4, LIN17 and LIN19 primers. These primers amplified variable area of the minicircle kDNA of Leishmania parasites. Of the 20 sampled dogs checked for leishmanial kDNA, six [30%] were found naturally infected. It is concluded that, dogs [Canis familiaris] even if asymptomatic, is considered as the domestic host reservoir of kala-azar in this endemic focus

Application of direct agglutination test [DAT] for the diagnosis and seroepidemiological studies of visceral leishmaniasis in Iran

Visceral leishmaniasis [VL] is one of the most important parasitic diseases which is endemic in different parts of Iran. Serological studies were conducted by direct agglutination test [DAT] on 12144 human serum samples, collected from four geographical zones of Iran. Sero prevalence, geographical distribution, clinical signs and symptoms for human visceral leishmaniasis based on DAT for the period of 2002 through 2005 were determined. From 516 kala-azar cases detected: 50.6% were from Meshkin-shahr and Moghan districts in Ardabil Province, northwest of Iran and 49.4% were detected from other areas of Iran. In physical examination of seropositive cases, which were detected by DAT with anti-leishmanial antibodies at titers of 1: 3200 to 1: 102400, almost 50% of suspected individuals showed the classical kala-azar signs and symptoms. Predominant signs and symptoms in 233 hospitalized patients with anti-Leishmania antibodies at 1:3200 and higher, were fever [88.0%] and splenomegaly [84.5%]. Statistically significant difference was found between males [58%] and females [42%] [P< 0.01]. Moreover, 93.6% of the VL patients were < 5 yr of age, and 6.4% were older than 5 yr that this difference was statistically significant [P< 0.01]. From 1383 serum samples collected from domestic dogs in the villages that are known as endemic foci of human leishmaniasis, 152 [11.0%] were positive by DAT [>/= 1:320]. Parasitological and serological examinations that were performed in 30 wild canines showed that 10% of these animals were infected by L. infantum. L. infantum Lon49 is the principal agent of the disease in human as well as animal reservoir hosts in different parts of Iran. For the first time in Iran, L. tropica isolated from both skin lesions in the face and bone marrow aspiration in a HIV+ man who co-infected with VL as well as in an infected dog from Ardabil Province

[First report of Kala-azar from Qeshm Island in Persian Gulf]

Visceral Leishmaniasis [VL] is a sever disease that is prevalent in Iran. We report a case of VL in a 3.5 year-old boy. Prolonged fever, chill, abdominal distention, and weight loss were important symptoms. Blood count showed pancytopenia and hypohemoglobinemia. Specific anti-leishmanial antibodies were detected by serological test [IFAT, DAT] but no Leishman body was observed in bone marrow. However, a 145 bp band of KDNA belong to L. infantum was detected by PCR method. Glucantime was administered and treatment was well tolerated. This is the first report of VL from Qeshm Island in Persian Gulf

[ new endemic focus of visceral leishmaniosis in southeren Iran]

Visceral leishmaniosis [VL] is endemic in some parts of Iran. Mediterranean type of disease is present in Iran where its causative agent is Leishmania infantum and dogs are the main. reservoirs. Since many cases of the disease were reported from Noor-abad, in Fars province, we aimed to carry out an epidemiological survey on VL in human and animal reservoirs; [dogs] in Mahoor-Milaty district of Noor-Abad city at West North of Fars province. In this cross-sectional descriptive survey, E blood samples were randomly collected from all children

[Characterization of leishmania parasites isolated from kala- azar patients in kohgiloyeh and boyerahmad, using semi-nested PCR]

Visceral leishmaniasis [VL] is a disease commonly known as Kala-azar caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania including L. donovani, L. infantum and L. chagasi. VL is sporadic in manyareas of Iran and is endemic in a few provinces such as Fars, Azarbayjan, Bushehr, Ardabil and Qom. VL has been reported from some areas of Kohgiloyeh and Boyerahmad and this study aimed to characterize the causative agent of VL in this region. Bone marrow sample was obtained from 6 VL patients from children department in Imam Sajad hospital in Yasuj. DNA was extracted from the obtained samples and was checked by semi-nested PCR to determine the species of the parasite. To do that, a segment of minicircle kinetoplast DNA was amplified, using LINR4 and LIN17 primers. Products of PCR were evaluated by electrophoresis, using 1.5% agarose and stained with ethidium bromide. Parasitologically examination of bone marrow smears demonstrated amastigotes form of the parasite in the samples. For mass cultivation, isolated parasites were cultured in diphasic NNN followed by RPMI 1640 media. All the samples produced a 720 bp band in PCR assay. The isolates were compared with referent strains and it was revealed that all the isolates were L. infantum. Findings of this study demonstrated that the causative agent of VL in Kohgiloyeh and Boyerahmad was L. infantum. Further study is needed to explore other aspects of VL in this region

[Evaluation of hydatid cyst fluid as a substitute for fetal bovine serum [FBS] in culture of leishmania major]

Isolation and characterization of Leishmania parasites is a necessary strategy for control of Leishmaniasis. Free-cell culture media, rich with biologic fluids such as Fetal Bovine Serum [FBS] are among the best media for culturing of the parasite. In our country, FBS is very expensive and is not available everywhere. In this study, we evaluated Ovine Hydatid Cyst Fluid [HCF] as a substitute for FBS in liquid culture media of Leishmania major. Leishmania parasites were isolated from Balb/C mouse ulcer and characterized by PCR. Of six tubes by triplicate [totally 18 tubes] add to each tube 800,000 promastigotes of Leishmania major and then add 1 cc of media including, once BHI [Brain Heart Infusion broth], BHI plus 5% FBS, BHI plus 10% FBS, once Hydatid Cyst Fluid [HCF], BHI plus 5% HCF and BHI plus 10%HCF, respectively. After 24h, 72h, 144h, 192 hours the number of parasites in each tube counted and the means of them compared together. The result of this study showed that BHI plus HCF 10% medium could be use as a suitable substitute till 72 hours for Fetal Bovine Serum [FBS] in liquid Culture of Leishmania major parasites. In this study, we have introduced the Ovine Hydatid Cyst Fluid [HCF] as replacement for FBS in liquid Culture media