K Azizi , Y Rassi , M.h Motazedian , E Javadian , M.r Yaghoobi-Ershadi , S Rafizadeh , M Mohebali , Gh.r Hatam ,
Volume 4, Issue 4 (7-2006)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Visceral leishmaniasis (kala-azar), the most dangerous form of leishmaniasis, is endemic in some parts of Iran, e.g. Ardabil, Fars, East Azerbaijan, Bushehr and Qom provinces. In recent years, the incidence of VL has increased in the Nourabad-Mamassani district in Fars Province. This study was carried out to detect VL vectors and infection rates in this region over the 2003-2004 period.
Material and Methods: Sand flies were captured in the selected villages by means of sticky traps, aspirators and CDC miniature light traps. Heads and distal abdominal segments were used for species identification and other body parts were used for DNA extraction. We employed a semi-nested PCR technique to detect Leishmania, with specific kDNA primers (LIN R4 - LIN 17 – LIN19). Some specimens were dissected for leptomonad infection.
Results: A total of 12688 sand flies were collected. Phlebotomus (Paraphlebotomus) alexandri was the second most prevalent species (17.34%).
The anthropophilic index of this species was 32.5%. Five cases (4.17%) of L. infantum infection were detected among the 120 P. alexandri examined by PCR method. We also observed two cases of leptomonad infection among the 112 dissected specimens.
Conclusion: High prevalence rates and anthropophilic index of P. alexandri plus its natural infection with L. infantum provide enough evidence to implicate this species as the main vector species of VL in the region and the second proven kala-azar vector in Iran. Besides, the Mahoor-Milaty district of Noorabad-Mamassani was identified as a new endemic focus.
Ahmad Ali Hanafi Bojd, Hassan Vatandoust, Mahyar Soltani, Zabih Allah Charrahi, Homa Nasseh,
Volume 10, Issue 4 (3-2013)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Arthropod-borne diseases are one of the major causes of human mortality. Since launch of the first meteorological satellites in 1960s, remote sensing has been increasingly implicated in the field of human health research and the data from satellites and their sensors with different spatial and temporal resolutions opened a new field of research in human health for scientists.
Material and Methods: Search engines and national/international scientific databanks were used to search keywords of remote sensing, satellite, tick, mosquito and sand fly and obtained articles were analyzed.
Results: Some ecological indices were used more in remote sensing of arthropod-borne diseases, including NDVI, SST, LST and CCD.
Conclusion: Data of environmental factors such as temperature, relative humidity, land use/ land cover help us to detect the habitats of vectors of diseases regard to their ecology. However, the scope of applications, beyond theoretical large potentialities, appears limited both by their technical nature and the related models developed. The main problem for application of remote sensing in health science and epidemiology of diseases, is the costs of satellite images as well as the availability in the studied times to monitor a specific subject like vector or agent of the disease. Although the majority of health studies and diseases monitoring need to application of high spatial resolution images.
Rahimeh Abdoli, Mohammad Mehdi Sedaghat, Mohammad Ali Oshaghi, Hamideh Edalat, Zakieh Telmadarraiy, Sahar Azarmi, Mohammad Javad Rafinejad,
Volume 17, Issue 1 (6-2019)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Ixodidae (hard ticks) are obligate blood-feeders of vertebrates with majorroles in transmission of pathogenic microorganisms including theileriosis, babesiosis and CCHF virus, as well as relapsing fever, to domestic animals and humans. This study was conducted to determine the distribution of ixodidae species, vectors of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF), in the border areas in North West of Iran.
Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in Ahar and Kaliybar Counties, East Azarbaijan Province, Iran. Randomized cluster sampling was done in villages in the forest and mountainous regions. Ticks were isolated by forceps from the animals, kept in sampling tubes and transferred to the laboratory. Then the tick samples were identified using taxonomical keys.
Results: A total of 2022 hard ticks were isolated from 1400 head of livestock (1000, 200, 180 and 20 head of sheep, goat, cow and buffalo, respectively). On the average, the infestation rate was 1.44 per head of cattle ─ 0.11% in goats, 0.32% in sheep, 0.90% in buffaloes, 9.25% cows. Out of the ticks isolated, 498 (24.63%) were male, 741 (36.65%) were female and 782 (38.67%) nymph, plus one larva. The ticks belonged to the lxodidae family, including four genera: Hyalomma (88.82%, with the following three species: Hyalommaanatolicum (39.22%), Hyalommamarginatum (9.15%) and Hyalommaasiaticum (0.69%)); Rhipicephalus (8.8%); Dermasentor (1.58%); and Haemaphisalis (0.8%). The others identified were Hyalomma nymph (38.67%), Hyalomma sp. (1.04%) and Hyalomma larva (0.05%), Rhipicephalus bursa (5.19%), Rhipicephalussanguineus (3.61%), Dermasentor marinates(1.58%), Haemaphisalissulcata (0.59%), and Haemaphisalispunctata (0.15%), as well as Haemaphisalisconcinae (0.05%). Hyalommaanatolicum was the dominant species.
Conclusion: The dominant tick species in the regions studied was Hyalommaanatolicum, a tick having a major role in transmission of many disease vectors including CCHF, ovin babesiosis, theileriosis, anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, etc. It is essential that the provincial Contagious Disease Center and Veterinary Department take appropriate action with the collaboration of other relevant departments to combat the tick.
