Study on Efficacy of 1% Permethrin Shampoo and Some Traditional Physical Treatment for Head Lice Infestation.

BACKGROUND: There is an increase in the prevalence of head lice among urban communities with high density in recent years. This study was aimed to determine the efficacy of 1% permethrin shampoo and some traditional physical treatment for head lice infestation in Qom Province, central Iran. METHODS: This analytical cross-sectional study was carried out on all 11,223 cases in six categories that were referred to Qom health care system from 2016 to March of 2017. The infested people were treated with 1% permethrin shampoo, twice at a 1-week interval and other recommended therapeutic categories, such as the use of physical treatments such as wooden fine-toothed combs impregnated with a mixture of water and white vinegar on infested hair for 30 min and secondly, carrier oils such as olive oil, bitter almond on infested hair over a therapeutic period. After completing the course of treatment, treatment success was checked by questionnaires. RESULTS: A total of 11,223 cases with head lice infestation were confirmed and were enrolled for study. Out of six categories, three therapeutic categories were utilized as follows: (a) 1% permethrin shampoo and the use of physical treatments; (b) 1% permethrin shampoo and the use of carrier oils; (c) the above-mentioned therapeutic categories combined had high treatment success. It was estimated to be 82.00%, 87.31%, and 94.33%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: According to the findings, in addition to the application of 1% permethrin shampoo, the use of physical treatments and carrier oils such as olive oil, bitter almond can increase the treatment success of head lice infestation.

Epidemiology of Visceral Leishmaniasis with Emphasis on the Dynamic Activity of Sand Flies in an Important Endemic Focus of Disease in Northwestern Iran.

BACKGROUND: Leishmaniasis diseases are known to be one of the most important public health problems in World and Iran. Visceral leishmaniasis is considered to be the most serious form and transmitted by sand flies species. The aim of this study was to investigate the dynamic activities of sandflies in northwestern Iran. METHODS: This crass-sectional study was conducted from April to December 2018 in Meshkinshahr County, Ardabil Province. Sticky traps have been used to collect sand flies. They are stored in 70% alcohol and finally identified using valid keys. The aspects of the synoptic information were inquired from the Meshkin Shahr weather department and results analyzed for SPSS24. RESULTS: Totally 259 sandflies were collected during study period. From collected samples 78.7% were male and 21.3% female. There were 8 different species. Phlebotomus kandelakii was the most prevalent one (30.8%). The average temperature, relative humidity, and average wind speed was 13.5 °C, 84%, and 2 meters per hour on the onset of sandflies' activity, respectively. These values were 18.3 °C, 85% and 1.5 meters per hour at the peak of their activity and 16 °C, 62% and 5 meters per hour at the final stage of their activity. Sand flies had one peak in July which is strongly influenced by temperature and humidity conditions. Two species of Ph. kandelakii and Phlebotomus perfilewi transcaucasicus, had the highest activity in this endemic area. CONCLUSION: The results of current study will provide a guideline for control of diseases in the country.

Geographical Distribution, Biodiversity, and Species Richness of Medically Important Necrophagous Flies in Central Iran.

There have been some investigations carried out about necrophagous flies and their biodiversity indices in Iran. In the present study, the species composition of flies, their richness, and biodiversity were investigated in central Iran. In a cross-sectional study, specimens were collected monthly in three different climate areas of Qom Province. Species diversity, species richness, and species evenness were calculated to estimate the species biodiversity of flies. In total, 7,291 flies were collected and identified using valid identification keys that classified flies into four families and 15 different species. The largest collection of flies was obtained in the mountainous areas comprising 36.2% of specimens. Moreover, five forensically important species of fly were collected in this region with the potential to cause human and animal myiasis: Calliphora vicina, Lucilia sericata, Musca domestica, Wohlfahrtia nuba, and Chrysomya albiceps. There were slight differences in species richness and diversity indices in the areas. In mountainous areas, the Shannon-Wiener index and richness were maximum (H' = 1.87, S = 13). The evenness based on the Shannon evenness index in the mountainous areas was 0.728 and 0.719 in desert areas, whereas it was the highest (0.764) in the semidesert areas. Moreover, high values of the Jaccard similarity index were observed in captured necrophagous fly species in all the areas. The necrophagous fly fauna and species diversity indices were high because of an increase in the evenness. In general, some well-known forensically important species of flies were collected that proved the potential of myiasis occurrence in this area.

Chemical Composition, Larvicidal and Repellency Properties of Cionura erecta (L.) Griseb. Against Malaria Vector, Anopheles stephensi Liston (Diptera: Culicidae).

BACKGROUND: Application of plant derivatives have been suggested as alternative sources for mosquito control. METHODS: The root essential oil and methanol extract of Cionura erecta (L.) Griseb was tested under laboratory conditions for larvicidal and skin repelleny activities against Anopheles stephensi. The chemical compositions of essential oils were analyzed using gas chromatography- mass spectrometry. RESULTS: Among the five concentrations tested, the 320 ppm of essential oil and 1280 ppm of methanolic extract had the most toxic effects yielding 100% mortality. The LC50 values of C. erecta for both essential oil and methanolic extract were 77.30 and 250.38 ppm, respectively. A total of 19 compounds were identified in essential oil of root. The major components were detected in root essential oil including Cedren-9-one (7.89%), alpha cadinol (5.67%), eugenol (4.02%) and alpha muurolene (3.58%). The protection time of 50% solution of essential oil against bites of An. stephensi was 2.28 hour on white rabbit and the ED50 and ED90 values of the essential oil were 10.12 and 23.01 ppm respectively. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that C. erecta oil has a potential source as larvicidal and repellency properties against An.stephensi.