Nosocomial Myiasis in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU): A Case Report.

Myiasis is a parasitic infestation of human and animal tissues caused by larva of several fly species. Nosocomial myiasis is a type of myiasis that patient acquires infestation after admission to hospital and prevention of this infestation should be one of hospital authorities concerns. Therefore, we report a case of nosocomial oral myiasis caused by Lucilia sericata in a woman aged 78-yr-old hospitalized in a Heart Center in north of Iran Aug 2015. The significance of fly extermination in hospital was highlighted and emphasized. Besides, the etiology and different aspects of infestation were discussed elaborately.

Dermatitis caused by Ctenocephalides felis (cat flea) in human.

BACKGROUND: Human infestation to ectoparasites such as ticks, lice, cimex, fleas, mites and others agents may result in intensive allergic reaction with symptoms of itching, skin infection and severe irritation. In this case report, we present a case of dermatitis caused by cat flea. CASE PRESENTATION: A three-member family referred to dermatology clinic in Babol due to dermal complications. They complained of irritation and the unrest caused by intense itching. Samples of tiny live insects were detected from their clothing which was recognized as C. felis (cat flea). CONCLUSION: This report highlights the importance of ectoparasites causing dermatitis.

Survey on cattle ticks in Nur, north of Iran.

OBJECTIVE: To survey the prevalence of cattle ticks in Nur County and prepare a list of tick fauna in this district. METHODS: This investigation was carried out on 150 head of cattle ticks of rural areas of Nur city which is located in Mazandaran province during spring and summer seasons of 2011. The collected ticks were identified using light microscope and available systematic keys. RESULTS: A total number of 1 563 ticks were isolated from examined cattle and their genus and numbers including: Ixodes ricinus 51% (111 male and 691 female) and Boophilus annulatus 49% (83 male and 678 female), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Results of the current investigation indicate the presence of two species of acarine ectoparasites which have potential health risk Ixodes ricinus and Boophilus annulatus. More studies are required to increase our data concerning ticks and other ectopreasites of ruminants in other areas of Mazandaran province and should be noted to their ability in transmission of infectious agents.

Serological Survey and Associated Risk Factors of Visceral Leish-maniasis in Qom Province, Central Iran.

BACKGROUND: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) or kala-azar is considered as a parasitic disease caused by the species of Leishmania donovani complex which is intracellular parasites. This systemic disease is endemic in some parts of provinc-es of Iran. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of VL in Qom Province, central Iran using di-rect agglutination test (DAT). METHODS: Overall, 1564 serum samples (800 males and 764 females) were collected from selected subjects by random-ized cluster sampling in 2011-2012. Sera were tested and analyzed by DAT. Before sampling; a questionnaire was filled out for each case. Data were analyzed using Chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression for risk factors analysis. RESULTS: Of 1564 individuals, 53 cases (3.38%) showed Leishmania specific antibodies as follows: with 1:400 titer 16 cases (1.02%), with 1:800 titer 20 cases (1.27%), with 1:1600 titer 16 cases (1.02%) whereas only one subject (0.06%) showed titers of ≥ 1:3200. There was no significant association between VL seropositivity and gender, age group and occupation. Binary logistic regression showed that rural areas was 0.44 times at higher risk of infection than urban areas (OR= 0.44; %95 CI= 0.25- 0.78). CONCLUSION: Although the seroprevalence of VL is relatively low in Qom Province, yet due to the importance of the disease, the surveillance system should be monitored by health authorities.

Heavy metal bioabsorption capacity of intestinal helminths in urban rats.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the capability of helminths to absorb heavy metals in comparison with that of the host tissues. METHODS: We compared the concentration of cadmium (Cd) and chromium (Cr) in urban rats and in their harboring helminthes -Moniliformis moniliformis, Hymenolepis diminuta and larval stage of Taenia taenaeiformis (Cysticercus fasciolaris). The heavy metal absorption was evaluated in 1g wet weight of parasites and tissues digested in nitric acid, using Inductivity Coupled Plasma (ICP_OES). RESULTS: A higher concentration of heavy metals was revealed in the helminths than in the host tissues. Bioconcentration factor (BF= C in parasite/C in tissue) for both Cd and Cr absorption was more than 10-fold higher in M. moniliformis than in the three compared host tissues. The BF of Cd in M. moniliformis compared to the liver, kidney and muscle of the host was 9.16, 14.14 and 17.09, respectively. BF in Cr in the same parasite and the same host tissues ranged from 10.67, 7.06 and 4.6. High level of absorption in H. diminuta was significantly likewise; the individual BF of Cd and Cr in H. diminuta compared to the liver, kidney and muscle of the hosts was 4.95, 5.94 and 4.67 vs. 2.67, 11.56 and 5.59. The mean concentration of Cd and Cr in C. fasciolaris was also significantly higher than that in the rat livers (P<0.007 and P<0.004, respectively). CONCLUSION: This study claims that parasites of terrestrial animals exposed to heavy metals can be more accurate indicators than the host tissues as new environmental monitoring agents.

Ashkan Ghasemi Moghaddam1, Mozafar Razavi Seyed1, Mehrshad Rasouli1, Sajad Hosseinzade1, Mohammad Mehdi Darvishi2, Arash Rakhshanpour3, Mohammad Taghi Rahimi4,5

Objective:To survey the prevalence of cattle ticks in Nur County and prepare a list of tick fauna in this district. Methods: This investigation was carried out on 150 head of cattle ticks of rural areas of Nur city which is located in Mazandaran province during spring and summer seasons of 2011. The collected ticks were identified using light microscope and available systematic keys. Results:A total number of 1 563 ticks were isolated from examined cattle and their genus and numbers including:Ixodes ricinus 51%(111 male and 691 female) and Boophilus annulatus 49%(83 male and 678 female), respectively. Conclusions:Results of the current investigation indicate the presence of two species of acarine ectoparasites which have potential health risk Ixodes ricinus and Boophilus annulatus. More studies are required to increase our data concerning ticks and other ectopreasites of ruminants in other areas of Mazandaran province and should be noted to their ability in transmission of infectious agents.