Climate change and potential distribution of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis in Central Iran: Horizon 2030 and 2050

Objective: To investigate and predict the effects of climate change on the potential distribution of the main vector and reservoir hosts of the disease in Yazd province in the future. Methods: Distribution data for vector and reservoir hosts of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis in Yazd province were obtained from earlier studies conducted in the area. MaxEnt ecological niche modeling was used to predict environmental suitability. BCC-CSM1-1(m) model and two climate change scenarios, RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 were used for horizons 2030 and 2050 climate projections. Future projections were based on data of a regional climate change model. Results: With both scenarios in 2030 and 2050, the results of jackknife test indicated that the mean temperature of wettest quarter and temperature annual range had the greatest effect on the model for the vector and the reservoir hosts, respectively. Conclusions: The climate conditions are the major determinants of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis incidence rate in Yazd Province. These climate conditions provide favorable habitats for ease transmission of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis in this endemic area. Habitats suitability for the vector and reservoir will be expanding in the coming years compared with the current conditions, such that, in horizon 2030 & 2050, the probability of the presence of the vector and reservoir within 38 580 and 37 949 km

Wash resistance and bio-efficacy of Olyset Plus, a long-lasting insecticide-treated mosquito net with synergist against malaria vector, Anopheles stephensi

OBJECTIVE@#To determine the wash resistance of Olyset Plus using World Health Organization Pesticide Evaluation Scheme standard washing procedure and to assess the value of knock down and mortality rates of Anopheles stephensi at different regimens of long lasting insecticide treated nets washings.@*METHODS@#The study was conducted at the Bioassay Laboratory of Culicidae Insectary, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran. The net was made of polyester impregnated with permethrin and piperonyl butoxide at a ratio of 2:1. The washing resistance was assessed using Le Chat soap and a shaker incubator set at a speed of 155 r/min, 30 °C for 10 min. The cone bioassay test was carried out according to World Health Organization recommended guideline with tolerant field strain of female Anopheles stephensi to pyrethroids.@*RESULTS@#The knockdown and mortality rates of female mosquitoes exposed to Olyset Plus from un-washed nets to 2 washings were 79.7% and 88.8% respectively. Mortality was dropped to zero while active ingredient estimated 0.532 μg/100 cm to 0.481 μg/100 cm after 15 washings. A positive correlation was seen between residues of permethrin on nets, knockdown rate and mortality rate of female Anopheles stephensi exposed to different regimes of washed Olyset Plus (r = 0.954, P = 0.001).@*CONCLUSIONS@#It is recommended that a preliminary survey conducted on resistance level of Anopheles vectors before the distribution of Olyset Plus in malaria endemic communities.

Astrodaucus persicus as a new source of bioinsectisides against malaria vector, Anopheles stephensi

OBJECTIVE@#To determine the larvicidal activities of petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol fractions of roots and fruits extracts of Astrodaucus persicus from Apiaceae family against malaria vector, Anopheles stephensi (An. stephensi).@*METHODS@#Twenty five third instar larvae of An. stephensi were exposed to various concentrations (10-160 g/L) of fractions and were assayed according to World Health Organization protocol. The larval mortality was calculated after 24 h treatment.@*RESULTS@#Among tested fractions, the highest larvicidal efficacy was observed from ethyl acetate fraction of fruits extract with 50% and 90% mortality values (LC and LC) of 34.49 g/L and 108.61 g/L, respectively. Chloroform fraction of fruits extract was the second larvicidal sample with LC of 45.11 g/L and LC of 139.36 g/L. Petroleum ether fractions of fruits and roots and methanol fraction of fruits showed moderate toxicity against An. stephensi.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Astrodaucus persicus is a potential source of valuable and natural larvicidal compounds against malaria vector, An. stephensi and can be used in mosquitoes control programs as an alternative to synthetic insecticides.

Wash resistance and bio-efficacy of Olyset

Objective To determine the wash resistance of Olyset

Astrodaucus persicus as a new source of bioinsectisides against malaria vector, Anopheles stephensi

Objective To determine the larvicidal activities of petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol fractions of roots and fruits extracts of Astrodaucus persicus from Apiaceae family against malaria vector, Anopheles stephensi (An. stephensi). Methods Twenty five third instar larvae of An. stephensi were exposed to various concentrations (10–160 g/L) of fractions and were assayed according to World Health Organization protocol. The larval mortality was calculated after 24 h treatment. Results Among tested fractions, the highest larvicidal efficacy was observed from ethyl acetate fraction of fruits extract with 50% and 90% mortality values (LC

Fauna and some biological characteristics of Anopheles mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) in Kalaleh County, Golestan Province, northeast of Iran

Objective To determine fauna and some ecological aspects of Anopheles mosquitoes in northeast of Iran. Methods In this descriptive study, 3 villages in Kalaleh County were selected in different geographical zones. Anopheles mosquitoes were collected biweekly from May to October using standard dipping method for larvae, and hand catch, total catch, artificial pit shelter as well as night-biting collections on human and animal baits for adults. Results Totally 399 larvae and 2 602 adults of Anopheles mosquitoes were collected and identified as 2 species: Anopheles superpictus s.l. (An. superpictus s.l.) and Anopheles maculipennis s.l. The dominant species was An. superpictus s.l. (92.1%). Activity of these mosquitoes found to be started from middle of May and extended till September with two peaks of activity in July and August. Conclusions An. superpictus s.l. as one of the main malaria vectors in Iran as well as some other parts of the world is the dominant species in the study area. This species has high potential for transmission and possibility of establishing a transmission cycle with low abundance. Other species, Anopheles maculipennis s.l. also has introduced as a malaria vector in northern parts of Iran. As this Anopheles is a complex species, genetic studies are recommended to determine the members of this complex in the study area.

Irritability of malaria vector, Anopheles sacharovi to different insecticides in a malaria-prone area

OBJECTIVE@#To determine the susceptibility and irritability level of malaria vector Anopheles sacharovi (An. sachrovi) to different insecticides in a malaria-prone area.@*METHODS@#Susceptibility and irritability levels of field collected strain of An. sacharovi to WHO standard papers of DDT 4%, dieldrin 0.4%, malathion 5%, fenitrothion 1%, permethrin 0.75%, and deltamethrin 0.05% were determined in East Azerbaijan of Iran during reemerging of malaria as described by WHO.@*RESULTS@#Results showed that at the diagnostic dose of insecticides this species exhibited resistance to DDT, tolerant to dieldrin and but somehow susceptible to fenitrothion, malathion, permethrin and deltamethrin. The results of irritability of this species to DDT, lambdacyhalothrin, permethrin cyfluthrin and deltamethrin revealed that DDT had had the most and deltamethrin the least irritancy effect. The average number of take offs/fly/minutes for DDT was 0.8±0.2. The order of irritability for permethrin, lambdacyhalothrin, cyfluthrin and deltamethrin were 0.7±0.2, 0.5±0.2, 0.5±0.3, and 0.2±0.1, respectively.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Results of this study reveals the responsiveness of the main malaria vector to different insecticides. This phenomenon is depending on several factors such as type and background of insecticide used previously, insecticide properties, and physiology of the species. Careful monitoring of insecticide resistance and irritability level of species could provide a clue for appropriate selection of insecticide for malaria control.