First report of deutonymph Myianoetus, Willmann, 1937 (Acari: Astigmata) from Iran.

Myianoetus is a Histiostomatidae mites that are phoretic on flies. The relation between flies and phoretic mites is considered to be of potential value in forensic studies, as the development of flies associated with decomposing human remains. So, they may useful in determining the time of death of an individual. This study represents the first records of Myianoetus muscarum deutonymph phoretic on adult Musca domestica in Iran. Further studies are needed to find any relation between phoretic mites and flies.

Testing the Sensitivity of the Tropical Bed Bug Cimex hemipterus (Hemiptera: Cimicidae) to Deltamethrin, Phoxim and Propetamphos in Eastern Iran.

Background: Bedbugs are nocturnal ectoparasites that have made a comeback after 20 years and have become one of the main challenges for pest control methods worldwide. Monitoring chemical pesticide resistance is crucial for identifying the best bed bugs management strategies to effectively manage arthropods. This study aims to assess the susceptibility of Cimex hemipterus (Hemiptera: Cimicidae) collected from different parts of Khorasan-Razavi Province, (northeast of Iran) to deltamethrin (pyrethroid), phoxim (organothiophosphate) and propetamphos (phosphoramidate). Methods: This study was conducted from Dec 2020 to May 2021. The efficacy of three insecticides (deltamethrin, phoxim, and propetamphos) on adult C.hemipterus was assessed using a bioassay method recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO),. Concentrations of deltamethrin used were 10, 20, 40, 80, 160, 320, 640, 1280, and 2560 ppm, while concentrations of phoxim and propetamphos were 10, 40, 160, and 320 ppm. The bed bugs were continuously exposed to the insecticide for 24 hours, and mortality was assessed at regular intervals during the observation period. The concentration-response data were subjected to POLO-PC software and data were analyzed by the one-way and two-way ANOVA procedures. Results: The lethal concentration fifty values of deltamethrin, phoxim and propetamphos on the examined bed bugs were 0.551, 0.148 and 0.237 ppm, respectively. Insecticide effects of phoxim were significantly higher (P≤ 0.05) compared to each of either deltamethrin and propetamphos agents. Conclusion: The insecticide effects of phoxim against bed bugs were significantly higher compared to each of either deltamethrin or propetamphosinsecticides.

Geographical patterns and mechanisms of Cimex lectularius Linnaeus, 1758, and Cimex hemipterus Fabricius, 1803 (Hemiptera: Cimicidae) resistance to insecticides: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

This study aimed to review published scientific literature on bed bugs in countries where insecticide resistance has been reported worldwide from 2000 to 2021. Electronic databases, including Scopus, PubMed, and WOS, were searched. Out of 606 articles found in the initial search, we selected 57 articles, of which 40 articles had reported on Cimex lectularius (C. lectularius), and 22 papers had reported on Cimex hemipterus (C. hemipterus). Most studies on insecticide resistance were carried out on C. lectularius in North America (14, 35%) and C. hemipterus in Asia (16, 72.7%). The most common method used to detect bed bug resistance to insecticides was toxicological bioassay with an overall random pooled effect size of 0.38 (95% CI: 0.23-0.53) in C. lectularius and 0.46 (95% CI: 0.27-0.65) in C. hemipterus. Resistance to pyrethroids was reported against C. lectularius with an overall pooled effect size of 0.75 (95% CI: 0.56-0.94) and C. hemipterus with an overall pooled effect size of 0.81 (95% CI: 0.57-0.93) in 33.40 (82.5%) and 19.22 (86.3%) published articles, respectively. A very high resistance level to pyrethroids in both studied species was observed, and resistance ratios at the highest level were 76389.3 and 315.5 in C. lectularius and C. hemipterus, respectively. Resistance mechanisms against pyrethroids were reported from most locations except Iran and Thailand, but these mechanisms were not studied in other insecticide groups. These reports indicate that chemical control options for bed bugs are limited. Therefore, a combination of chemical and non-chemical strategies is recommended for bed bug control.

In vitro Acquisition and Retention of Low-Pathogenic Avian Influenza H9N2 by Musca domestica (Diptera: Muscidae).

Avian influenza virus (AIV) H9N2 emerged in the 1990s as an economically important disease in poultry and occasionally infects humans and other mammals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the acquisition and retention of H9N2 AIV on and within the house fly, Musca domestica (Linnaeus 1758), under laboratory conditions. In first experiment, 100 adult house flies were divided into control and treatment groups equally. Treatment group was fed with a meal containing H9N2 virus, while control group was supplied with an identical meal without virus. Fifteen minutes after exposure in each group, flies were washed twice to remove surface particles, disinfected and then homogenized for testing. The two external body surface washes and the homogenate samples were tested for H9N2 to distinguish exterior from interior viral load. Second experiment was performed likewise but five flies from each group were taken at 0, 6, 24, 48, 72, 96, and 120 h post-exposure. All samples were subjected to real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RRT-PCR) for detecting H9-Specific viral RNA. Results of the first experiment showed that viral RNA was detectable in both of external surface and homogenates samples. Second experiment revealed that persistence of H9N2 AIVs on external body surface and within the body of M. domestica were 24 and 96 h, respectively. Moreover, viral RNAs concentration declined during the time after exposure to AIV H9N2 either outside or within house flies. Overall, house fly was able to acquire and preserve H9N2 AIV experimentally, which may contribute the spread of virus among poultry farms.

Evaluation of the Common Bed Bug, Cimex lectularius (Insecta: Hemiptera: Cimicidae) Susceptibility to λ-Cyhalothrin, Malathion, and Diazinon in Northeastern Iran.

The common bed bug, Cimex lectularius (Linnaeus 1758), is a nocturnal blood-sucking ectoparasite of humans that is highly prevalent in the northeast of Iran. In recent years, the efficacy of those insecticides that have been frequently used to control bed bugs in Iran has not been studied. Due to frequent complaints about bed bug treatment failures in Mashhad city (northeastern Iran), this study assessed the susceptibility of C. lectularius collected from a student residence hall to Diazinon, Malathion, and λ-cyhalothrin. The desired concentrations of each insecticide were prepared in acetone, and bioassays were performed using insecticide-impregnated filter paper method. The concentration-response data were subjected to POLO-PC software and data were analyzed by the log-probit procedure. The LC50 values of Diazinon and λ-cyhalothrin for examined bed bugs were 1,337.40 and 2,022.36 ppm, respectively. Malathion at the highest concentration (10,000 ppm) did not exhibit any toxicity to examined C. lectularius. Comparing these results to the same previous studies showed that susceptibility of examined bed bugs to these insecticides has been highly decreased. This study revealed an occurrence of insecticide resistance in bed bug populations in northeastern Iran. It also suggests that Malathion, Diazinon, and λ-cyhalothrin are ineffective against bed bugs in this region.

Rodents Helminth Parasites in Different Region of Iran.

BACKGROUND: Climate condition is expected to have significant in rodents' diversity and in the seasonal pattern of diseases carried by different rodents. In an effort to aid in the study of the biodiversity of parasites of rodents in different climate zoon we examined climate patterns in the parasite assemblages of different rodents from Mar 2015 to Feb 2016. METHODS: Of 253 captured rodents in three climate zone of Iran, thirteen species of rodents were recognized. Rodents included Mus musculus, Microtus, Apodemus witherbyi, Calomyscus elburzensis, Meriones libycus, Tatera indica, Alactaga elater, and Arvicola amphibius. Trapped rodents humanely sacrificed and the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts were removed and examined to identify parasitic helminths. Parasites were identified using key morphological characteristics. RESULTS: Of 253 rodents examined, 109 (43.08%) were positive for helminth infection including Syphacia obvelata (20.1%), Aspicularis tetraptera (9.9%), Trichuris muris (0.3%), Capillaria sp. (0.3%), Physaloptera sp. (0.7%), Gongylonema sp. (1.1%), Nippostrongylus brasiliensis (6.7%) Heligmosomoides polygyrus (4.3%) Hymenolepis diminuta (3.1%), H. nana (0.8%), Cysticercus fasciolaris, (2.7%), Mesocestoides sp. larva (0.3%) and Moniliformis moniliformis (0.3%). Notocotylus neyrai was the only species of Trematoda isolated from water vole (Arvicola amphibius) for the first time in Iran. CONCLUSION: Some rodents are omnivorous, showing high predisposition to helminths parasites consequently, they harbor some species of parasites which are potentially zoonotic or may serve as vectors of important zoonotic pathogens. Therefore, the potential health hazard of these species needs to be considered to prevent infectivity of humans.

A report of the unusual lesions caused by Thelazia gulosa in cattle.

This is a case report of unusual lesions caused by Thelazia gulosa in cattle. After several ineffective treatments of suspected infectious keratoconjunctivitis in calves and cows, T. gulosa was found associated with retrobulbar granuloma-like masses. The masses with multiple digit-like protrusions on conjunctival surface ejected multiple worms on firm pressure on clinical examination. Samples of tissues that contained worms were surgically removed, fixed in ethanol and submitted to the parasitology and histopathology labs for morphological identification of worms and the nature of the tissue masses, respectively. The infestation was present only in young calves (<3months) and high-producing cows. Histopathology showed fibrovascular granulation tissue, containing a moderate to marked inflammatory infiltrate. Ivermectin treatment (200µg/kg, SC, once) with and without surgical excision resolved the infestation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of tissue invasion by T. gulosa.

A survey on parasites of long-eared hedgehog (Hemiechinus auritus) in northeast of Iran.

As there appeared to be no data available on parasite infection of Hedgehogs in the region and considering the potential threat of Hedgehogs for animal and public health, the present study was carried out using biological samples and necropsy findings collected from long-eared hedgehog captured in Mashhad city in the northeast of Iran. During the study 23 dead hedgehogs were collected randomly from different regions of Mashhad County. Following autopsy of these animals, observation for enteric parasites was carefully done. At the same time, 38 live hedgehogs were captured at this region and after anesthetizing of them, their ectoparasites were removed. The captured animals were released after recovery. All of studied animals were found to be infected with at least one of the parasites. The endoparasites removed from dead hedgehogs were: Oliganthorhynchus erinacei, Nephridiorhynchus major, Hymenolepis erinacei and Crenosoma striatum. The ectoparasites found on live studied animals according to their abundance were Rhipicephalus turanicus,Haemaphysalis erinacei and Echidnophaga gallinacea. The results of this study will contribute to our understanding of the parasites infecting Hemiechinus auritus in Iran. These results also suggest that pet owners especially those keep hedgehog should be aware about hazards that may pose by these animals.

Canine Myiasis and Its Causal Agents in Northeastern Iran.

BACKGROUND: Myiasis is defined as the infestation of live human and vertebrate animals with dipterous larvae for a certain period. There are reports indicating that dogs are the most common species affected by myiasis. This study was conducted to identify myiasis-causing flies in owned and stray dogs in Mashhad (Northeastern Iran). METHODS: A total of 435 owned dogs and 800 stray dogs were examined for myiasis. Myiasis cases were cured and fly larvae were identified by microscopy using the relevant standard identification keys. RESULTS: Ten out of 435 owned dogs (2.29 %) and 18 out of 800 stray dogs (2.25 %) had myiasis. The causative agents of myiasis in dogs based on their frequencies were as follows: Wohlfahrtia magnifica (50%), Lucilia sericata (28.57%) and Chrysomya albiceps (21.42%). CONCLUSION: W. magnifica was the most important myiasis-causing fly among the dogs sampled here, sometimes causing very serious damages. However, when treatment was given early enough, the larvae removed and the wound disinfected, the animals usually made a full recovery.

Prevalence of tick infestation in dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) brought for slaughter in Mashhad abattoir, Iran.

This study was carried out to investigate the prevalence of tick infestation and identify tick species that parasitize dromedary camels. Since April 2012 through March 2013, a total of 400 camels that brought for slaughter in Mashhad abattoir were examined for tick infestation. Out of the total 400 camels examined, 237 were infested and annual prevalence of tick infestation 59.25 % (95 % CI 54-64) was calculated. The higher prevalence rates were found in the summer and spring, especially the summer that prevalence rate was the highest. A total of 1,122 ticks were collected from the infested camels and identified by stereomicroscopy. Hyalomma dromedarii was the predominant tick species and comprised 70.76 % of the collected ticks. The frequency of other species was as follows: H. excavatum (19.25 %), H. anatolicum (4.81 %), H. asiaticum (4.72 %), Rhipicephalus turanicus (0.17 %), H. detritum (0.09 %), H. impeltatum (0.09 %) and H. schulzei (0.09 %). Based on the results of present study, it is concluded that camels mostly harbor Hyalomma spp. The species of this genus are the most notorious ticks for transmission of human and animal diseases. Therefore, appropriate tick control measures need to be employed and pour-on method for acaricide application is suggested because this method is fast, easy and suitable for use by camel owners in deserts.

Prevalence of ixodid tick infestation of sheep in the Arasbaran region of Iran.

This survey was carried out in sheep herds of Arasbaran region in northwest of Iran. The aims of this survey were assessment of occurrence hard ticks on sheep in this region and speciation and identification of detached ticks from sheep. In addition determination of tick distribution on sheep body surface was studied. In this study 330 sheep were examined and ticks from infested animals were collected. In parasitological laboratory speciation of ticks were done by stereomicroscope and using of tick identification keys. Overall 525 ticks were collected from 132 infested sheep and speciation of these tick showed 4 genera and 6 species including: Hyalomma marginatum marginatum (65.33 %), Rhipicephalus bursa (26.66 %), Haemaphysalis choldokovsky (5.90 %), Dermacentor marginatus (1.71 %), Haemaphysalis punctata (0.19 %) and Hyalomma excavatum (0.19 %). The distribution of ticks on sheep body surface was as follow, according to its frequencies: tail (42.66 %), groin (25.71 %), axilla (24.19 %), neck (5.71 %) and sternum (1.71 %). It was concluded that H. m. marginatum was the dominant tick in sheep of Arasbaran region.

Genetic evidence for conspecificity between Dermacentor marginatus and Dermacentor niveus.

Ticks are hematophagous arthropods transmitting several harmful human and animal pathogens like viruses, Rickettsia, bacteria, and protozoa. The identification and speciation of ticks were normally performed in Iran using identification key of Arthur (1960) and Kaiser and Hoogstraal (J Parasitol 49:130-139, 1963) or on the basis of morphological characteristic keys recommended by Walker et al. (2003). Although these identification keys are well prepared, but there are in some cases due to the strong overlapping characteristics between species like Dermacentor marginatus and Dermacentor niveus accompanied with serious problems. D. marginatus and D. niveus have been intermittently used synonymously and there is no a generally agreement with the specification of these species. To find out more about these two species, we have analyzed the complete nucleotide sequence of ITS-2 region. Interestingly, we found indeed a sequence homology of 99% between nucleotide sequence of ITS-2 region of D. marginatus and D. niveus. Since the nucleotide sequence of ITS-2 region of D. marginatus in Iran has 98% sequence homology to the other in GenBank registered ITS-2 sequence of D. marginatus, and the morphological characteristics between both examined species showed minimal differences, therefore we believe that the D. marginatus and D. niveus could belong to the same species and 1% differences in nucleotide sequence of ITS-2 region between these two species can be understand as an intra-species polymorphism.