Association between living in the endemic area and level of knowledge of visceral leishmaniasis.

BACKGROUND: Iran is a country with a high prevalence of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and seven endemic provinces. In this study, we tried to identify unobserved classes of knowledge among Iranians toward VL and assess the predictors of each latent class. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted among randomly selected participants from endemic and non-endemic areas of VL in Iran in 2020 and 2021. The collected data included demographic characteristics and questions about knowledge, attitude, and practice toward VL. We performed latent class analysis using a procedure for latent class analysis (PROC LCA) in SAS to identify the class membership of knowledge of participants toward VL. RESULTS: Five latent classes were identified: very low (38.9%), low (15.5%), moderate (6.2%), high (14.1%), and very high (25.2%) knowledge about VL. Living in endemic areas significantly increased the odds of belonging to the low (adjusted OR (AOR = 7.23; 95% confidence interval (CI):4.52-11.58), high (AOR = 2.71; 95%CI: 1.73-4.23), and very high (AOR = 8.47; 95%CI: 5.78-12.41) classes compared to the very low class. Also, having academic education increased the odds of membership in the very high class (AOR = 2.36; 95%CI: 1.61-3.47) compared to the very low class. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that more than 50% of the participants fell into the latent classes of very low and low knowledge toward VL. Some educational workshops in the endemic areas could be effective in enhancing knowledge about VL.

High-level seroprevalence against Leptospira interrogans serovars among wild foxes, jackals and stray dogs in the North Khorasan Province, Iran.

BACKGROUND: Leptospirosis is an important, neglected zoonotic disease that affects people and animals in humid (sub)tropical regions. Wild canines carry the pathogen and may contaminate natural resources which may then act as a source of human infection. OBJECTIVES: The study was designed to understand the seroprevalence of leptospirosis among domestic and wild canines in Bojnurd County, Northeast Iran. METHODS: A total of 77 serum samples, comprising 29 sera from asymptomatic wild canines [foxes (n = 25) and jackals (n = 4)] and 48 sera from asymptomatic stray dogs, was investigated. Serovars were identified and antibody titres were measured by standard microscopic agglutination test (MAT) using serial serum dilutions. RESULTS: Among all serum samples, 44.1% reacted positively to a Leptospira interrogans serovars. The average percentage of positive reactions was higher in stray dogs than in wild canines although this did not reach statistical significance (55.2% and 37.5%, p = 0.159). Positive reactions with L. i. Pomona, L. i. Australis and L. i. Tarasovi was detected only among jackals and foxes. Among the stray dogs, the highest number of positive sera were for L. i. Grippotyphosa (61.1%) and L. i. Canicola (50%). The highest titre detected was for L. i. canicola (1:1600) in two stray dogs and against L. i. Icterohaemorrhagiae and L. i. Pomona (1:800) in a single jackal. CONCLUSIONS: The study revealed that leptospirosis is endemic among various canine species in the North Khorasan Province of Iran. Detailed monitoring of canines is necessary for better understanding the epidemiology of infection in our and other Iranian regions.

Bionomics and phylo-molecular analysis of Leishmania species isolated from human lesions using ITS1 genes in north-east of Iran.

Leishmaniasis is a zoonotic infectious disease caused by Leishmania species. The identification of parasite species and the type of disease is beneficial for treatment and preventive modalities. Leishmania tropica and L. major have been reported as the main etiological agents of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in Iran. The incidence of zoonotic CL has increased and different in distinct loci of Iran. Hence, we perused the Leishmania species and its genetic traits in the North East of Iran. The investigation was conducted on 200 positive smears prepared from patients' lesions suffering from CL referred to the health care centers of northeastern provinces in Iran from 2013 to 2019. The obtained positive microscopy samples were divided to score the ranges from + 1 to + 6, of them 40 smears exhibited low-parasitemia. Leishmania species analyzed using PCR-RFLP, genetic diversity indices evaluation, phylogenetic analysis, and sequencing comparison with other species in the GeneBank based on ITS1 gene. The isolated L. major strains were similar to other Iranian isolates in this region. Pairwise fixation index (FST) index was statistically significant in different L. major populations and showed the genetic differences in pairwise population of different geographical locations of Iran. The current study confirmed an old pattern endemicity of zoonotic CL in North-east of Iran. Therefore, in order to assess the hybrid formation, more epidemiological, ecological, and gene polymorphism studies are needed to understand the pathogenic role of Leishmania species in Iran.

Seroprevalence of Leptospira infection in occupational risk groups in North Khorasan province, Iran.

Leptospirosis is an important zoonotic bacterial disease caused by Leptospira spp. Earlier studies from North Khorasan province (Iran) reported the presence of Leptospira in wild canines and rodents. To date, there is no data on the seroprevalence of leptospirosis among humans in this province. This study was performed to determine the prevalence of human leptospiral infection among people with different occupations. The study was conducted in urban and rural areas of the province. Among the serum samples collected from 278 subjects, 3 (1.1%) showed positive reaction with titer of 1:100 by the microscopic agglutination test (MAT). Positive reactions were detected against Leptospira interrogans Canicola and L. interrogans icterohemorrhagic and all these samples were from livestock farmers (n = 3/106, 2.7%). The current study revealed that, though Leptospira infection is low in North Khorasan province, regular monitoring of the livestock and the farmers are important.

Biodiversity Indices and Medically Importance of Ticks in North Khorasan Province, Northeast of Iran.

BACKGROUND: Ticks are considered as the main vectors for the transmission of various pathogens such as relapsing fever and CCHF to humans. This study was investigated the biodiversity indices and medically importance of ticks in North Khorasan Province, Northeast of Iran during 2015-2019. METHODS: Specimens were captured from infested ruminants including cows, sheep, and goats. Additionally, tick collections also were performed on non-domesticated creatures such as turtles, rodents, and hedgehogs. Specimens were identified using valid identification keys. Species diversity, species richness and evenness indices have been calculated to estimate species biodiversity of ticks. RESULTS: A total of 1478 adult ticks were collected. The specimens were from two families: Ixodidae (90.05%) and Argasidae (9.95%), 6 genera and 17 species including: Rhipicephalus sanguineus (55.9%), Rhipicephalus bursa (13.4%), Hyalomma marginatum (9.5%), Hyalomma anatolicum (9.5%), Hyalomma asiaticum (0.2%), Hyalomma aegyptium (0.5%), Hyalomma scupense (1.3%), Hyalomma sp (1.2%), Haemaphysalis sulcata (0.7%), Haemaphysalis erinacea (0.1%), Haemaphysalis inermis (0.1%), Haemaphysalis punctata (0.2%), Haemaphysalis concinna (0.1% Boophilus annulatus (1.2), and Dermacentor marginatus (6.1%) among hard ticks as well as Argas persicus (91.8%) and Argas reflexus (8.2%) amongst soft ticks. Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Rh. Bursa, Hy. marginatum and Hy. anatolicum were known as the most frequent species of hard ticks. Tick's species richness, Shannon diversity index and Simpson index in this area were S= 17, H'= 1.69, D= 0.294 respectively. CONCLUSION: Based on tick distribution veterinary authority, public health organizations and other officials should act for implementation of disease prevention.

Serological evidence of West Nile virus infection among birds and horses in some geographical locations of Iran.

Recent expansion of arboviruses such as West Nile (WNV), Usutu (USUV), and tick-borne encephalitis (TBEV) over their natural range of distribution needs strengthening their surveillance. As common viral vertebrate hosts, birds and horses deserve special attention with routine serological surveillance. Here, we estimated the seroprevalence of WNV, USUV and TBEV in 160 migrating/resident birds and 60 horses sampled in Mazandaran, Golestan, North Khorasan, Kordestan provinces and Golestan province of Iran respectively. ELISA results showed that of 220 collected samples, 32 samples (14.54%), including 22 birds and 10 horses, were positive. Microsphere immunoassay results showed that 16.7% (10/60) of horse blood samples collected in Golestan province were seropositive against WNV (7; 11.7%), Flavivirus (2; 3.3%) and seropositive for USUV or WNV (1; 1.7%). Furthermore, micro virus neutralization tests revealed that four of seven ELISA-positive bird blood samples were seropositive against WNV: two Egyptian vultures, and one long-legged buzzard collected in Golestan province as well as a golden eagle collected in North Khorasan province. No evidence of seropositivity with TBEV was observed in collected samples. We showed that WNV, responsible for neuroinvasive infection in vertebrates, is circulating among birds and horses in Iran, recommending a sustained surveillance of viral infections in animals, and anticipating future infections in humans.

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.

Effect of Meteorological Factors on Hyalomma Species Composition and Their Host Preference, Seasonal Prevalence and Infection Status to Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever in Iran.

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.

Echinococcus multilocularis and Echinococcus granulosus in canines in North-Khorasan Province, northeastern Iran, identified using morphology and genetic characterization of mitochondrial DNA.

BACKGROUND: Canids are definitive hosts of Echinococcus multilocularis and Echinococcus granulosus. This study aimed to survey these two Echinococcus species in canids of North-Khorasan Province, northeastern Iran, using morphological criteria and genetic characterization of mitochondrial DNA. METHODS: The carcasses of 106 canids, namely 61 jackals (Canis aureus), 23 foxes (Vulpes vulpes), 19 dogs (Canis familiaris) and three wolves (Canis lupus) were collected from the study area in 2013-2014 and examined for Echinococcus species. Morphological features were assessed by microscopy of adult worms. For molecular characterization, DNA was extracted, mostly from the adult worms but also from eggs. DNA fragments of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) and NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1 (nad1) mitochondrial genes were amplified and sequenced. Sequences were aligned and compared with reference sequences. Intraspecific and interspecific diversity were calculated and phylogenetic analysis was performed. RESULTS: Overall, 9.4% of the canids (eight jackals and two foxes) were found infected with E. multilocularis by molecular methods, of which seven cases were also confirmed using morphological description of the adult worms. Echinococcus granulosus was found in 6.6% of the canines (four dogs, two jackals and one wolf) as determined by both molecular methods and adult cestode morphology. All E. granulosus isolates were identified as the G1 genotype. Comparative sequence analysis indicated 0-0.7% and 0% intraspecific divergence within E. granulosus isolates and 0% and 0-0.2% within E. multilocularis isolates for cox1 and nad1, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed the presence of E. multilocularis and E. granulosus in canids of North-Khorasan Province of Iran. Jackals were found infected with both E. multilocularis and E. granulosus, but infection with the former species was higher.

Molecular and seroepidemiological survey on Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus in Northeast of Iran.

Background: Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a prevalent tick-borne disease in different regions of Iran. This molecular and serologic study was performed to investigate the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) in collected ticks and in blood samples of some domestic animals in North Khorasan, Northeast of Iran. Methods: In this cross sectional study, 136 blood samples from domestic animals (sheep, goats, and cows) collected in the Northeast region in Iran were examined using IgG ELISA assay. Ticks (n = 1478) were collected from sheep, goats, and cows. Out of all collected ticks, 62 specimens were investigated for CCHF virus genome using RT-PCR technique. The data were descriptively presented by median and 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: CCHFV infection rate was 8.1% in studied ticks. Two species of ticks, Hy. anatolicum (n=3; 15%, 95% CI 9.41-20.59) and Rh. sanguineus (n=2; 6.9%, 95%CI 4.33-8.58), were infected with CCHFV genome and were probable vectors of CCHF virus in the area. Infection rate was 15.4% for CCHFV in tested domestic animals. Serologic tests detected CCHFV specific IgG antibodies in 16.2% (95% CI 13.49-18.83) (99/16) and 19.2% (95% CI 13.26-25.20) (26/5) of sheep and goats, respectively. Conclusion: The present study showed that domestic animals and ticks were infected with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus and that the disease was endemic in North Khorasan province, Iran. However, further surveillance and prevention programs are recommended.

Faunistic Composition and Spatial Distribution of Scorpions in North Khorasan Province Northeast of Iran.

BACKGROUND: Scorpions pose one of the most important public health and medical problems in tropical and subtropical regions of the world, especially in developing countries. This study was conducted to determine the fauna and spatial distribution of scorpions. METHODS: In this descriptive study, scorpions were captured using ultra-violet (UV) light, pitfall traps and digging methods in North Khorasan Province, northeastern Iran in 2017. After being encoded, the collected scorpions were stored in plastic containers of 70% ethanol and then transferred to the medical entomology lab of Tehran University of Medical Sciences for species identification based on morphological keys. In addition, Arc Geographic Information System (GIS) 9.3 software was utilized for mapping spatial distribution of scorpions. RESULTS: Overall, 143 scorpions were captured and identified. All of collected scorpions belonged only to Buthidae family. They were also classified into four genera (Androctonus, Mesobuthus, Odontobuthus, Orthochirus) and five species: M. eupeus (59.44%), A. crassicauda (16.78%), O. doriae (12.59), M. (Olivierus) caucasicus (9.09%), and O. farzanpayi (2.10%). Furthermore, spatial distribution of scorpions was performed in this area. CONCLUSION: Regarding the diversity, high frequency and wide geographical distribution of scorpions and their long-term seasonal activity in this area, the probability of occurrence of scorpion sting is high. Therefore, in order to prevent the occurrence of this public health problem, health educational programs be implemented by health- care providers in the area.

Comparative Performance of Different Traps for Collection of Phlebotominae Sand Flies and Estimation of Biodiversity Indices in Three Endemic Leishmaniasis Foci in North Khorasan Province, Northeast of Iran.

BACKGROUND: Phlebotominae sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) are the vectors of leishmaniasis. There are different methods for sand fly collection with different performance. The purpose of the current study was to compare the effect of different traps for collection of Phlebotominae sand flies in three endemic leishmaniasis foci in North Khorasan Province, northeast of Iran. METHODS: Sand flies were collected using seven different traps from three villages, three times each twenty days during peak periods of seasonal activity in 2016. RESULTS: A total of 7253 sand flies were collected. The specimens belonged to19 species. Phlebotomus sergenti was the most predominant species in the study area. Light trap baited with Carbon dioxide (CLT) and sticky paper trap (SPT) caught 22.6% and 22.3% of sand flies respectively. Animal baited trap (ABT) and white Shannon trap (WST) caught significantly fewer sand flies than the other traps. The sex ratio was different by phlebotominae sand fly species and collection methods. The sex ratio was highest in SPT and lowest in black Shannon trap (BST). Species diversity and species richness in SPT were more than other traps. CONCLUSION: Our findings confirm that CLT and SPT are the most efficient sand fly collection methods. CLT is higher attractive for females and Phlebotomus genus and is an ideal method for monitoring the population of Phlebotomus genus during surveillance. SPT is an inexpensive, convenient and easy to be used to detect the presence of sand flies at low densities and provide a more realistic estimation of sand flies biodiversity.

Richness and Diversity of Phlebotomine Sand Flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) in North Khorasan Province, Northeast of Iran.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to determine the species composition, richness and diversity indices of the Phlebotomine sand flies at different topographic condition in visceral (VL) and cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) foci in the northeast of Iran. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted during 2016 in North Khorasan Province. The sampling was focused on rural regions, where human cases of VL and/or CL were diagnosed and reported during last 5 years. Sand flies were collected three times each twenty days during peak periods of seasonal activity. Seven collection methods were used. Some Alpha and Beta diversity indices were calculated. RESULTS: Overall, 7253 sand flies were collected and identified. They were from 19 species of Phlebotominae sand-flies. Phlebotomus sergenti and Ph. papatasi were the most prevalent (84.9%) species in the study area. Species richness (S) was very different in three areas and were18, 8, and 4 respectively but Evenness (E) were 0.357, 0.345, and 0.380, so evenness was almost equal in the study areas. Shannon Index (H) and Margalef Richness Index were calculated 1.033, 0.718, 0.527 and 2.117, 0.8998, 0.4006 respectively. CONCLUSION: The sand fly fauna in North Khorasan Province was very rich and often included some of the most important proven or suspected vectors of leishmaniasis. Species diversity indices (Shannon index, and Simpson's index) were not high due to decreasing in evenness. The Margalef richness index could accurately reflect the biodiversity of sand flies between three subtidal locations.

Faunistic Study of the Rodents of North Khorasan Province, North East of Iran, 2011-2013.

BACKGROUND: Rodents are one of the most important hosts for some zoonotic diseases and also act as a reservoir of some ectoparasites and endoparasites. They cause damage to the farms and inflict public health. The aim of this study was to investigate the faunal composition of rodent in North Khorasan Province, Northeast of Iran. METHODS: The sampling was carried out between 2011 to 2013. The specimens were collected using different methods including rodent death and live traps, digging of their burrow, and hand net from 75 different sample sites. RESULTS: The total number of 396 specimens belonging to 22 species and six families were identified. The results illustrated the high numbers and densities of Meriones persicus (17.68%), Meriones libycus (15.15%), Nesokia indica (7.32%) and Rhombomys opimus (6.82%), as the most important reservoirs for different zoonotic diseases. Moreover, significant number of other rodent species including Mus musculus (15.66%), Apodemus witherbyi (13.89%), A. hyrcanicus (0.25%), Rattus norvegicus (1.01%), Meriones crassus (0.25%), Gerbillus nanus (0.51%), Microtus paradoxus (2.27%), M. transcaspicus (0.76%), Ellobius fuscocapillus (0.25%), Cricetulus migratorius (4.29%), Calomyscus elburzensis (4.29%), C. mystax (1.26%), Spermophilus fulvus (0.25%), Dryomys nitedula (3.54%), Allactaga elater (3.54%), Jaculus blanfordi (0.25%), Meriones zarudnyi (0.25%), M. meridianus (0.51%), and Hystrix indica as hosts for parasites and zoonotic diseases were identified. CONCLUSION: The high biodiversity including at least 22 species and six families of rodents were found in North Khorasan Province, some of them were medically important species.

wsp-based analysis of Wolbachia strains associated with Phlebotomus papatasi and P. sergenti (Diptera: Psychodidae) main cutaneous leishmaniasis vectors, introduction of a new subgroup wSerg.

Sand flies of Phlebotomus papatasi and P. sergenti are the main vectors of cutaneous leishmanisis (CL) in the old world. We aimed to screen Iranian P. papatasi and P. sergenti for their natural infections with Wolbachia and to determine their phylogenetic association with other species. Wolbachia surface protein (wsp) gene was PCR amplified from DNA extracted from Phlebotomus species, sequenced, and were analysed in combination with wsp sequences related to Phelebtominae and other insects. All Wolbachia-infecting Iranian sand flies of P. papatasi and P. sergenti were classified in the Supergroup A., Wolbachia isolated from P. sergenti were clustered in a new subgroup within Supergroup A so-called wSreg. The Wolbachia strains identified from the P. papatasi clustered mainly in the subgroup wPap and partly in wSerg. Multiple Wholbachia infection within a single population of P.papatasi warrants investigation on existence and intensity of cytoplasmic incompatibility between the wPap and wSerg subgroups.

High resolution melting analysis as an accurate method for identifying Leishmania infantum in canine serum samples.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Leishmania (L.) infantum is the principal agent of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in the Mediterranean and American regions. So far different molecular methods including high resolution melting (HRM) analysis have been developed for detecting and identifying L. infantum infection. HRM assay is an automted molecular method which detects and identifies different genus and species of infectious agents. This study aimed to diagnose and identify Leishmania infection caused by L. infantum species using real-time PCR coupled with HRM assay in the serum samples in comparison with anti-L. infantum antibodies obtained using direct agglutination test (DAT), in domestic and wild canines of northeastern Iran. METHODS: Serum samples of 15 foxes, 14 jackals, seven domestic dogs and three wolves were collected in some villages around Shirvan and Bojnourd districts from the northeast regions of Iran during 2014-15. Initially, all the collected serum samples were tested by DAT for the detection of anti-L. infantum antibodies. Afterwards, genomic DNA was extracted from the samples and tested by real-time PCR-HRM analysis targeting hsp70, ITS1 and gp63 genes. The level of agreement between DAT and HRM assay were analysed statistically. RESULTS: Out of the 39 serum samples, eight showed anti-L. infantum antibodies at titre 1: 80 while only one of them showed anti-L. infantum antibodies at titre 1 : 160. All the nine seropositive samples showed positive results with HRM analysis. Additionally, three DAT negative serum samples were also found positive in the HRM technique. Altogether, 12 out of the 39 DNA samples showed positive results in HRM analysis. Among the three gene sequences used, gp63 was best for separation and identification of species. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: HRM analysis targeting hsp70, ITS1 and gp63 genes can be used as a highly sensitive technique for the screening and early detection of L. infantum infection in the wild and domestic canines. It has higher accuracy than DAT and allows detection and discrimination of different Leishmania species responsible for the Leishmaniases.

Case Report: First Coinfection Report of Mixed Leishmania infantum/Leishmania major and Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome: Report of a Case of Disseminated Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Iran.

Visceral leishmaniasis, a neglected tropical disease, is the third most common opportunistic disease in immunosuppressed patients, such as those affected by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immune deficiency syndrome. Although the reports have been characterized as Leishmania/HIV coinfections, the occurrence of a mixed infection by two Leishmania species in HIV-positive patients is rare. Here, we present an atypical case of disseminated cutaneous leishmaniasis (DCL) in a 26-year-old HIV-positive man. The diagnosis of DCL was established using skin biopsy and histopathology examinations and confirmed by molecular techniques. This is the first case of a Leishmania/HIV coinfection due to a mixed infection of Leishmania infantum/Leishmania major in Iran.

Susceptibility status of wild population of Phlebotomus sergenti (Diptera: Psychodidae) to different imagicides in a endemic focus of cutaneous leishmaniasis in northeast of Iran.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Phlebotomine sandflies (Diptera: Psychodidae) transmit several important zoonotic diseases to humans and leishmaniasis is one of them. Two types of leishmaniasis, viz. visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) are endemic in Iran. The main vector of anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) is Phlebotomus sergenti. The aim of the present study was to determine the susceptibility status of wild strain of P. sergenti to different imagicides of DDT, bendiocarb and permethrin at the median lethal time, LT50 level. METHODS: Sandflies were collected from selected village in North Khorasan Province, northeast of Iran from indoors using CDC light-traps. Susceptibility test was carried out against DDT (4%), bendiocarb (0.1%) and permethrin (0.75%) for all the females according to WHO method, and mortality was calculated. Species identification was carried out using the morphological keys. Data were analysed using probit regression analysis to determine the LT50 and LT90 values. RESULTS: In total, 851 female P. sergenti sandflies were tested. LT50 values to DDT (4%), Bendiocarb (0.1%) and permethrin (0.75%) were 15.4, 19.2 and 6.3 min respectively. The values for LT90 were 51.1, 47.4 and 18.6 min respectively. The mortality rates for 1 h exposure time to DDT, bendiocarb and permethrin were 89.8 ± 1.4; 93.6 ± 1.4; and 95.6 ± 1.7%, respectively. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: The suscesptibility studies revealed development of resistance against DDT (4%) in the wild strain of P. sergenti population. Monitoring and mapping of insecticide resistance in the region is recommended for vector control.

Intestinal Helminths in Different Species of Rodents in North Khorasan Province, Northeast of Iran.

BACKGROUND: Rodents are an important source of zoonotic diseases for human. The aim of this study was to determine the infectivity of rodents with intestinal helminths in North Khorasan Province, Iran. METHODS: One hundred and thirteen rodents were collected using different collection methods such as kill and live traps, digging of their burrow, filling of their hiding places with water and hand net during 2011-2013. Their alimentary canals were removed in the laboratory and helminths were determined in the department of parasitology, Tehran University of Medical Sciences. RESULTS: Thirteen species of helminths parasites were found in 13 species of rodents, including Aspiculuris tetraptera, Hymenolepis diminuta, Nippostrongylus brasiliensis, Protospirura Seurat, Rictolaria ratti, Skrjabinitaenia lobata, Streptopharagus kuntzi, Syphacia obvelata, Taenia taeniaeformis, Trichuris muris, Cysticercus fasciolaris, Acanthocephal. spp and Trichuris spp. Some of them were reported for the first time in new host in Iran. S. obvelata and A. tetraptera were the most frequent parasites and P. Seurat, R. ratti and C. fasciolaris were found only in one rodent. CONCLUSION: This is the first study to investigate the intestinal parasites in rodents in this area. Among different species identified, some of helminths were reported in new host.