Prevalence of Trypanosoma evansi in camels using molecular and parasitological methods in the southeast of Iran, 2011

Surra is caused by infection with the protozoal parasite, Trypanosoma evansi. This parasite was transmitted mechanically by biting flies which is widespread in camels in the world. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of T. evansi in camels in Rafsanjan, Kerman province, southeast of Iran. In this study, 95 suspected camels were randomly selected in 2011. Blood samples were taken from deep blood vessels. Thin and thick blood smears were prepared in laboratory. Blood smears were stained by Giemsa and studied under a light microscope. The positive blood samples were also used for further molecular analysis. Data were analyzed using SPSS 17.0 software and P B 0.05 was considered as statistical difference. A total of 95 camels were examined for infection with T.evansi using parasitological and molecular methods. The overall prevalence of infection was 2.1 %. It was found that the frequency of infection was significantly higher (P\ 0.05) in age group [6 years old than the corresponding younger camels. However, there was no significant difference when the gender was considered. PCR technique confirmed the two infected cases were T. evansi. Results of the present study indicated that surra is present in Rafsanjan county, Kerman province in an infection rate of 2.1 % in camels. To our knowledge, this is the first study reported from this province. Further investigations are needed to focus on vectors and to evaluate the risk factors

Pandemic COVID-19 and Endemic Neglected Tropical Diseases: Friends or Foes?

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the SARS-CoV-2, is the most serious global health calamity since the 2 nd World War. The COVID-19 pandemic threatens public health systems worldwide, both in developed and developing countries. In the present report we discuss various effects of the pandemic on the status of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). COVID-19 will be a public health issue for an extended period. COVID-19 presented several challenges and opportunities for NTD prevention and control. Significant alterations include impact of the pandemic on preventive/control measures and poverty-related plans, service failures and injury to health workers, delayed treatment of NTDs, health service funding, and worsening poverty in marginalized societies. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic necessitated school and university closures on public education and research institutes. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic has also provided opportunities, such as improving health literacy, changing approaches to NTD treatments, restructuring the health system and emergency responses, and enhancing science communication

New foci of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniosis due to Leishmania major in the northeastern Iran cities of Sabzevar and Neghaab

Cutaneous leishmaniosis (CL) is a major public health challenge in Iran. Overall, 18 provinces out of 31 of the country's provinces are in the endemic areas. The objective of the present study was to determine the presence of CL species in Sabzevar and Neghaab cities, Khorasan Razavi province, northeastern Iran. Overall, 280 samples were taken from suspected individuals referred to Sabzevar's and Neghaab's health centers during 2014-2016. Smear preparation, case detection and further identification by partial amplification of 7SL RNA and high-resolution melting curve analysis were done for all samples, followed by randomly polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-sequencing confirmation. Based on findings, the most infection rate was found in males with the age groups of 20-30 in both districts. All samples were characterized as Leishmania major, except one isolate in Neghaab closely related to Leishmania tropica. Various risk factors play roles in creating new foci of zoonotic CL (ZCL) caused by L. major in Sabzevar and Neghaab in northeastern Iran. Reports of the prevalence of CL in new foci make serious concerns about the incidence of cases and expansion of disease to the neighboring areas. Further measures are essential to control the disease in the regions

Association between GPX1 and IL-6 promoter methylation and type 2 diabetes

Background: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a multifactorial illness, and the development of this disease is the consequence of combination of the type of lifestyle and various genetic factors. Epigenetic changes occur due to interference between environmental and lifestyle factors. Epigenetic can affect the function of the genes involved in the pathway of glucose metabolism. In the present study, the promoter methylation levels of two candidate genes (IL-6 and GPX1) in patients with T2D and non-diabetic individuals were analyzed. Materials and methods: Total 62 patients with T2D and 30 age- and gender-had similar healthy controls were included. Lipid profiles were enzymatically measured and DNA extraction, bisulfite conversion, nested PCR and sequencing were performed to investigate the DNA methylation in IL-6 and GPX1. Results: No differences were observed for the IL-6 and GPX1 promoter methylation between T2D and non-diabetic subjects. However, our results revealed that the level of methylation of GPX1 promoter was significantly higher in females, compared with males (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the DNA methylation levels of the IL-6 and GPX1 promoter in the peripheral blood are not related to the occurrence of T2D