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BACKGROUND: The impact of environmental factors and host on Hyalomma spp. community structure and abundance in the main Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) foci of Iran is largely unknown. METHODS: Biotic and abiotic factors, including host, temperature, humidity, altitude, Köppen-Geiger climate types, season, and precipitation on Hyalomma spp. community structure and abundances in 11 provinces of Iran were investigated. Additionally, the possible infection of ticks with CCHF virus was evaluated using reverse transcription PCR technique. RESULTS: Species analyses demonstrated the presence of Hyalomma anatolicum, H. marginatum, H. dromedarii, H. asiaticum, H. detritum and H. schulzei in the study area. Hyalomma anatolicum was the dominant species in the southern and northern parts, whereas H. dromedarii was distributed mostly in central parts of the country. The highest tick infestation was recognized in hot season. Spatial variation in tick relative density was observed between habitat types where more ticks were collected in deserts, semi-deserts, and Mediterranean habitats. Except for H. dromedarii, which was more prevalent on camel (P= 0.044), there were no significant variations in the frequencies of other Hyalomma species on different hosts. Hyalomma anatolicum, H. dromedarii frequencies had significant positive and negative association with temperature and precipitation respectively. Also humidity has positive impact on H. asiaticum frequency. CONCLUSION: Data presented here will help improve ecological models to forecast the distribution of Hyalomma spp. ticks, to evaluate the risk of CCHF and other tick-borne diseases, and to design proper vector control measures to suppress Hyalomma populations in Iran.
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BACKGROUND: Scorpions are usually defined as predatory arachnids having venomous and painful stings. Scorpionism is considered as one of the health and medical problems in undeveloped tropical and subtropical countries in the world that endangers thousands of people annually. OBJECTIVE: This study was done for identification of scorpion fauna and scorpionism location in a high-risk area in southwest of Iran. METHODS: This study was carried out in Andimeshk district located in Khuzestan province which has the highest frequency of scorpionism in Iran. In total, 4 urban and 15 rural areas with various climates and topography were selected for monthly scorpion collection in 2016. Additionally, clinical data was obtained from questionnaires over a 5-year period (2012 to 2016) which were completed by physicians and health staff in hospitals and health centers. The data were analyzed by IBM-SPSS Version 20. RESULTS: A total of 850 scorpion samples with the most frequency in rural areas were collected. Eight species belonging to three families; Buthidae, Scorpionidae and Hemiscorpiidae were identified. A. crassicauda was the dominant species followed by H. lepturus. The largest collection due to scorpion's activity was recorded in summer. The five-year prevalence of scorpion sting were 9.1/1000 inhabitants. The highest frequency of scorpionism was observed in the male age group of 25-34 years. Most cases had been treated with polyvalent scorpion antivenom within 6-12 hours of the sting. CONCLUSION: Based on the findings, six species of medically important scorpions that were previously reported from Iran were also collected and caught in this study area. The findings of this study can be useful for policymakers at the Andimeshk Healthcare Center to prevent scorpionism and provide appropriate treatment for scorpionism cases.
RESUMEN
Venomous scorpions have extreme importance in field of medicine and public health. This descriptive - analytic study was done to identify scorpion fauna, their ecological aspects as well as scorpionism for risk management and prevention of this health problem in Iran's central desert. Four urban and fifteen rural areas with various climates and topography locations were selected for monthly scorpion collection through a randomly cluster sampling in 2013. The clinical data was obtained from questionnaires provided in 2009-2014. Totally, 1481 scorpion sting cases were recorded. The majority were treated less than 6h after the sting. Statistical tests showed significant difference between season, scorpion's color, living place of patients and scorpionism cases. Plain areas had the most occurrence of scorpionism followed by foothills. Moreover, 311 scorpion samples belonged to 7 species of Buthidae were collected. Mesobuthus eupeus was the dominant species in both rural and urban areas. Most of the collected samples were from indoors, yards and around the houses. The most scorpion activity was recorded in the summer. The studied areas had rich scorpion fauna due to various climates and topography locations. Scorpion stings can be important and fatal in this area, particularly in the plain regions with semi-desert climate. An investigation for assessment of peoples' awareness on prevention methods of scorpionism and also the determination and the assessment of effective factors on reducing the elapsed time between scorpion stings and receiving medical care are here recommended.