Journal of School of Public Health and

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A total of 509 Anopheles Stephensi and 20 Anopheles Culicifacies mosquitoes were collected during two seasonal activity peaks (June, July, August and September) in the years 2000 and 2001, from 36 localities around Minab, Iranshahr and Kahnouj cities. The identity of specimens was confirmed using Shahgodian PAN morphological key. DNA was extracted from the head and thorax of all specimens and subjected to nested PCR using species-specific primers for Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum. Three An. Stephensi mosquitoes from Minab and one An. Culicifacies mosquito from Iranshahr were positive for P. vivax, while one An. Stephensi was shown to harbor both P. vivax and P. falciparum.

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This survey was done to investigate the geographical distribution of ticks (Hard and Soft) in the towns of Amol, Babol and Noor in Mazandaran province, north of Iran. The study, conducted from January 2000 to October 2001, covered mostly rural districts and a total of 15 operational fields. Ticks were collected from domestic fowl nests, stables (animal shelters, floors and other places), animal bodies and rodent holes. A total number of 3897 ticks from two families (Argasidae and Ixodidae) were collected. Ticks from the Argasidae Family totaled 2049 and belonged to 2 genera: Argas and Ornithodorus). The proportions of different species were as follows: Argas persicus 35.95%, A. reflexus 0.97% and O.lahorensis 15.65%. Hard ticks collected in the area belonged to 6 genera and included 8 species: Boophilus (B. annulatus 8.34%) Haemaphysalis (Hae. Sulcata 5%), Hyaloma (Hy. marginatum 1.66%), Dermacentor genus and Hyschulza (0.75%). Hy. anatolicum (1.33%) De. marginatus (1.72%), the genus Rhipicephalus (Rh. Sanginues 1.18%) were collected from animal bodies (cow, sheep, goat) and animal shelters.

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Background and Aim: Fleas are the most important ectoparasites of humans and domestic animals. Their bites are painful, usually accompanied with itching in addition, they transmit diseases such as plague, tularemia, and endemic typhus. The aim of this study was to identify species of fleas in the rural areas and animal farms in Boyerahmad

Materials and Methods: This study, conducted for 6 months, from April to September 2007, included 30 villages of the Boyerahmad District (30 ° 9'-31 ° 32 'N: 49 ° 57'- 50 ° 42'). To collect fleas, the common catch methods, such as fly paper, light trap, etc. were District, Kohgiloye-and-Boyerahmad Province, Iran.

used. The samples collected were kept in 70%-ethanol, and then, after clarifying and dehydration, were identified in the laboratory using valid keys.
Results: A total of 2435 fleas (54% males and 46% females) belonging to two families (Placida and Ceratophylidae), 4 genera and 7 species were collected. The most common species was Xenopsylla buxtoni (24.7%), followed by the dog flea, Ctenocephalides canis (21.4%), the cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis (18.5%), Xenopsylla astia (14.5%), Xenopsylla nuttalli (7.6%), Pulex irritans (7.2%), and N. fasciatus (6.1%). The fleas abundance (mean ± SE) in human and animal habitats was found to be  0.7±0.06 and 3.4± 0.2, respectively.  

Conclusion: On the whole, the flea species are quite diverse and abundant in the rural areas of Boyerahmad District in human and, particularly, animal habitats. This is a serious problem. Measures should be taken to control the fleas, particularly in rural areas.