Original Article

Abstract Background: Mosquitoes transmit several diseases to human. There are several measures for control of larvae. As part of Integrated Vector Management (IVM) program, the utility of floating layers of polystyrene beads (EPS) is a potential alternative in habitats of mosquito larva. EPS beads prevent oviposition of mosquito as well as killing the immature stages by forming a tick layer on the water surface. They are cheap, environmentally safe and do not need frequent application and remain on the surface of water for long time. The objective of the current study was to asses the effectiveness of two types of polystyrene beads of (EPS) and (SWAP) for control of mosquito larvae under laboratory conditions. Methods: Anopheles stephensi and Culex quinquefasciatus were used for experimental purposes. In each tray 250 larvae of late 3 rd and early 4 th instars were introduced. The experiment was conducted on 4 replicates for An. stephensi, Cu. quinquefasciatus and combination of both. Emerging of adult mosquitoes were calculated every day until the end of experiments. Results: Mortality rate and Inhibition of Emerge (IE) for Cu. quinquefasciatus, An. stephensi and combination of both species was 97.8%, 100% and 99.07%, respectively using EPS. In average, EPS was able to kill 98.9% of larvae. The figures with SWAP were 63%, 91.05% and 72.65%, respectively. The average mortality for mosquitoes was 75.57% Conclusion: EPS and SWAP beads can be very effective and practical for elimination of An. stephensi and Cx. quinquefasciatus under the laboratory conditions

The dominant Anopheles vectors of human malaria in the Asia-Pacific region: occurrence data, distribution maps and bionomic précis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The final article in a series of three publications examining the global distribution of 41 dominant vector species (DVS) of malaria is presented here. The first publication examined the DVS from the Americas, with the second covering those species present in Africa, Europe and the Middle East. Here we discuss the 19 DVS of the Asian-Pacific region. This region experiences a high diversity of vector species, many occurring sympatrically, which, combined with the occurrence of a high number of species complexes and suspected species complexes, and behavioural plasticity of many of these major vectors, adds a level of entomological complexity not comparable elsewhere globally. To try and untangle the intricacy of the vectors of this region and to increase the effectiveness of vector control interventions, an understanding of the contemporary distribution of each species, combined with a synthesis of the current knowledge of their behaviour and ecology is needed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Expert opinion (EO) range maps, created with the most up-to-date expert knowledge of each DVS distribution, were combined with a contemporary database of occurrence data and a suite of open access, environmental and climatic variables. Using the Boosted Regression Tree (BRT) modelling method, distribution maps of each DVS were produced. The occurrence data were abstracted from the formal, published literature, plus other relevant sources, resulting in the collation of DVS occurrence at 10116 locations across 31 countries, of which 8853 were successfully geo-referenced and 7430 were resolved to spatial areas that could be included in the BRT model. A detailed summary of the information on the bionomics of each species and species complex is also presented.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This article concludes a project aimed to establish the contemporary global distribution of the DVS of malaria. The three articles produced are intended as a detailed reference for scientists continuing research into the aspects of taxonomy, biology and ecology relevant to species-specific vector control. This research is particularly relevant to help unravel the complicated taxonomic status, ecology and epidemiology of the vectors of the Asia-Pacific region. All the occurrence data, predictive maps and EO-shape files generated during the production of these publications will be made available in the public domain. We hope that this will encourage data sharing to improve future iterations of the distribution maps.</p

Modeling spatial distribution of Rhombomys opimus as the main reservoir host of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis in northeastern Iran

Background & objectives: Zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) is among the most endemic zoonotic diseases in Golestan Province of Iran. The aim of this study was to find the high risk areas of this infection by considering the distribution of reservoirs and human infection. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted, in which Rhombomys opimus (Gerbils) were captured from different collection sites across the Golestan Province, Iran. records about the occurrence of Rh. opimus in the Province was obtained from earlier studies and were gathered in a database. Furthermore, records about the disease existence were also obtained from the health system database of Golestan Province. Villages with at least three cases of ZcL were considered endemic foci and used as presence sites for Leishmania major. ArcGIS and MaxEnt model were used to map and predict the best ecological niches for both reservoir and parasite. Results: According to the MaxEnt model, the area under Roc curve for Rh. opimus and L. major was 0.92 and 0.89, respectively. The probability of presence for both species in the northeastern part of Golestan Province was more than the other parts. The Jackknife test indicated that factors like temperature and altitude plays significant role in predicting the environmental suitability for ZcL reservoir and parasite, respectively. Interpretation & conclusion: this modeling approach predicted the areas suitable for reservoir host and circulation of parasite to human. These findings can be used in proper mapping, surveillance and control of the CL

Human myiasis survey in Ilam Province, Southwest of Iran

Myiasis is the infestation of live human and vertebrate animals with dipterous larvae, which at least for a period. Ilam Province of Iran is one of the most important animal husbandry areas, especially nomadic, in Iran. The objective of this study was to identify the prevalence of myiasis in shepherds in Ilam Province. A cross-sectional study was conducted among the shepherds in Ilam Province, western Iran. Out of the 11 counties in Ilam Province, 6 were randomly chosen from three different climates for this study. A questionnaire was used by a trained interviewer to obtain the information from subjects. The disease has been seen in spring, summer, and autumn seasons. About 94.1 of people have been infested at least once. Pharyngeal myiasis had the highest prevalence with 58.3. Itchy, painful throat, sneeze, cough, and headache were common symptoms. About 85.1 of people described the symptoms of the disease as severe and very severe. About 75.4 stated that the duration of the disease was more than 5 days. According to the results of the study, it was found that the prevalence of myiasis among shepherds in the Ilam Province is high and it is necessary to take appropriate measures to control the disease and increase health literacy

KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDES OF THE RURAL POPULATION AND VETERINARY AND HEALTH PERSONNEL CONCERNING CRIMEAN-CONGO HEMORRHAGIC FEVER IN WESTERN IRAN IN 2012

Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) is an emerging zoonotic disease in Iran. It became a public health problem in the country after an epidemic during 1999 in western Iran. Subsequent studies showed that the disease is now endemic in 23 out of 31 provinces of Iran. The more people become aware of CCHF, the more this disease will be prevented. Therefore, knowledge assessment studies are essential for planning a structured questionnaire to conduct a program of interviews and in training programs. The present study was conducted in an at risk area in western Iran. During Jun-Jul, 2012, a descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted involving 194 people in Darreh Shahr County, Ilam Province, western Iran. The first interrogation was conducted in 4 villages and the second was focused on the health and veterinary staffs of the County who may have been exposed to the disease or may have come in contact with patients suffering from the disease. An interview was conducted through a structured questionnaire concerning CCHF in all studied populations. Statistical analysis of the collected revealed that 61.7 of those interviewed had some information about the role of ticks in disease transmission, while only 14.8 had correct information about CCHF and its' vector. The education levels and jobs of the respondents correlated significantly with their knowledge about the role of ticks in disease transmission, awareness of CCHF and its' routes of transmission, as well as with the symptoms of the disease (P = 0.000). Most health and veterinary staff members had varying levels of knowledge about ticks and tick-borne diseases, while 64.6 recognized CCHF as a tick-borne disease. Their information about ticks was obtained mainly from academic courses (61.1). A relationship of direct employment in public health or veterinary medicine areas led to improved knowledge of 41.6 of respondents. Education of the interviewed personnel was correlated with their knowledge related to methods of tick control (P = 0.002); and the efficacy of various methods of control (P = 0.02). Public education related to CCHF and its transmission routes is recommended via TV/radio broadcasts; however health workers can also play an important role in educating and training villagers. Specialized programs are needed to improve the knowledge of relevant health and veterinary staffs

Faunistic study on scorpions and their health impact in Bashagard County, Hormozgan Province, Southern Iran

Scorpion sting is a major public health problem in tropical and subtropical countries, endangering thousands of lives annually. About 2300 scorpion sting cases including several deaths are reported from Hormozgan Province annually. This study aimed to determine the fauna of scorpions and epidemiological aspects of scorpion sting in one of the high-risk areas in this province. Scorpions were collected by diurnal searching and night catch using UV light during 2015-2016. Clinical and demographic data of scorpion sting were obtained from Hormozgan Health Center using the checklist of the Center for Disease Control (CDC) archive during the study period. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 21 software. A total of 382 scorpions comprising of 9 species belonging to Buthidae (76) and Hemiscorpiidae (24) families were collected and identified as Mesobuthus phillipsi, Androctonus crassicauda, Hottentotta sistanensis, Compsobuthus persicus, Hemiscorpius acanthocercus, Orthochirus farzanpayi, H. acanthocercus, and Odontobuthos sp. The most abundant species in the study area was M. phillipsi. During 2015-2016, a total of 1221 scorpion sting cases including four deaths were recorded in Bashagard County, while most of the cases occurring during summer. The climate of the eastern regions of Hormozgan Province provides a suitable habitat for one of the deadliest genera of scorpions, i.e. Hemiscorpius. This genus is the main cause of death due to scorpion sting in these regions. It is thus necessary to design appropriate programs for the prevention and treatment of scorpion sting, including health education programs for both community members and healthcare personnel

Species composition and distribution of dangerous scorpions of hemiscorpius genus and clinical symptoms due to envenomation in high-risk regions of southern iran

Shahi M, Moosavy SH, Hanafi-Bojd AA, Akbari M, Rafinejad J. 2021. Species composition and distribution of dangerous scorpions of Hemiscorpius genus and clinical symptoms due to envenomation in high-risk regions of southern Iran. Biodiversitas 22: 2945-2951. The southern regions of Iran, including Hormozgan province, are high risk areas for scorpion stings. This study aimed to determine the distribution and species diversity of dangerous scorpions of Hemiscorpius and also to determine the clinical symptoms of their bites in the high-risk areas of Hormozgan province. Scorpion sampling was carried out from Shahid Mohammadi and Koodakan hospitals in Bandar Abbas also filed areas of Bandar Abbas and Khamir counties by searching the scorpion's shelter throughout the day and using ultraviolet light at night. To determine the clinical symptoms, the data recorded in the patient's file were extracted and recorded in the sting checklists. Five species of the Hemiscorpius genus were identified. H. gaillardia and H. persicus are reported for the first time from Hormozgan province. Specific clinical symptoms after several hours of delayed were pain, swelling, itching, warmth, and edema, necrosis of the sting site, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and fever. Complications such as urine discoloration, hemoglobinuria, severe hemolysis, and acute renal failure were observed. The results showed that envenomation with Hemiscorpius Scorpions should be considered as an urgent medical issue. © 2021, Society for Indonesian Biodiversity. All rights reserved