Dicrocoelium dendriticum found in a Bronze Age cemetery in western Iran in the pre-Persepolis period: The oldest Asian palaeofinding in the present human infection hottest spot region

Dicrocoeliasis of animals and humans is caused by trematode species of the genus Dicrocoelium, mainly Dicrocoelium dendriticum in ruminants of the Holarctic region. D. dendriticum may be considered an old parasite, probably related to the appearance and diversification of Eurasian ovicaprines, occurred 14.7-14.5 million years ago. The oldest palaeoparasitological findings of Dicrocoelium in domestic animals and humans date from more than 5000 years BC in Europe. Eggs of D. dendriticum have been found in a burial of a Bronze Age cemetery (2600-2200 BC) close to Yasuj city, southwestern Iran. This is the oldest finding of D. dendriticum in the Near East, where present human infection reports are more numerous than in other world regions where human dicrocoeliasis is rare and sporadic. This palaeofinding in the Zagros mountainous chain area is of interest by its location close to Persepolis, suggesting a narrow relationship between humans and herbivorous animals in these highlands. Domestic ruminant populations of these highlands were following a repeated contact with those of the western flat lowlands of the Fertile Crescent thanks to annual altitudinal transhumance migrations of the nomadic pastoral tribes with their herds living throughout Zagros Mountains in the several millennium period BC. It is concluded that D. dendriticum spread together with sheep and goats westward throughout Europe from the Fertile Crescent during the 8000-6000 year BC period and somewhat later southward into Africa, both spreads facilitated by the low specificity of that trematode species regarding the snail and ant intermediate hosts. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved

Infection of the Jackal (Canis aureus) by Haplor-chis taichui (Trematoda: Heterophyidae) in Southwestern Iran: A Clue for Potential Human Infection

Background: We detected eight trematodes in the small intestine of a road-killed jackal (Canis aureus) from Hamidiyeh District near the city of Ahvaz, Khuzestan Province in 2010. Methods: Three worms were stained with carmine acid, mounted in Canada balsam on glass slides and examined under a light microscope at 1000X magnification. PCR and sequencing of a partial ITS2 sequence were used to approve the diagnosis. Results: The flukes measured ≈1 mm in length with an elongated ovoid shape resembling the members of heterophyid, and only one testis, characteristics of the genus Haplorchis. Sequencing of a 481-bp fragment of the ITS2 locus from the worms revealed 97%-98% identity with the similar sequences of the H. taichui flukes previously identified in the fish, cat, and humans from Thailand, China, and Vietnam. Conclusion: Further studies with the application of reliable molecular tools to diagnose trematode infections in wildlife and humans can bring more insight into the epidemiology of fish-borne flukes including H. taichui in this area

Genomic palaeoparasitology traced the occurrence of Taenia asiatica in ancient Iran (Sassanid Empire, 2th cent. CE-6th cent. CE)

Palaeoparasitology investigates parasitological infections in animals and humans of past distance by examining biological remains. Palaeofaeces (or coprolites) are biological remains that provide valuable information on the disease, diet, and population movements in ancient times. Today, advances in detecting ancient DNA have cast light on dark corners that microscopy could never reach. The archaeological site of the Chehrabad salt mine of Achaemenid (550-330 BC) and Sassanid (third-seventh century AD) provides remains of various biotic and abiotic samples, including animal coprolites, for multidisciplinary studies. In the present work, we investigated coprolites for helminth eggs and larvae by microscopy and traced their biological agents' DNA by Next Generation Sequencing. Our results revealed various helminths, including Taenia asiatica, the species introduced in the 1990s. Implementing advanced modern molecular techniques like NGS gives a paramount view of pathogenic agents in space and time

Occurrence of Dioctophyme renale (Goeze, 1782) in road-killed canids of Iran and its public health implication

Dioctophyme renale, is the largest of parasitic nematodes, which infects different species of fish-eating carnivores worldwide. The northern provinces of Iran (Guilan and Mazandaran) located in south of the Caspian Sea are suitable for parasitic infections due to the mild and humid climatic conditions. From separate surveys of road-killed canids in various parts of the Caspian Sea littoral area in Iran, 70 carcasses were collected along the roads of Guilan and Mazandaran from 2015 to 2017. Dioctophyme renale detected by direct observation and molecular methods based on Cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COX1 gene) sequencing analysis. Molecular investigation was also performed to validate prevalence and reduce false negative concerns. Dioctophyme renale was found in eight of 70 carnivores, mostly in the right kidneys, as well as two cases in the abdominal cavity of a dog and a golden jackal. More carcasses on the roads were seen with lacerated internal organs. Given the frequent number of giant kidney worms in canids in the region, the transmission of this zoonotic helminth to humans seems possible, since the area is a tourism hub in the country. The infection burden of this helminth should be investigated using DNA analysis of kidney tissue of road-killed carnivores in Iran. Keywords: Giant kidney worm, COX1, gene Carnivores, Conventional PCR, One healt

First evidence of Brachylaima sp. (Diplostomida; Brachylaimidae) infesting the Etruscan shrew (Suncus etruscus) in Iran

Of the eleven species of shrews described in Iran, the Etruscan shrew (Suncus etruscus), the smallest known extant mammal by mass, is recorded in northern and southern provinces. During rodent control programs, a female S. etruscus was trapped and found naturally infected with a trematode which was morphologically identified as Brachylaima sp. This finding represents the first report of trematodiasis in this host species

A Review of Myiasis in Iran and a New Nosocomial Case from Tehran, Iran.

Background: Due to various climatic conditions in different parts of Iran, presenting of various kinds of human myiasis is expected. Despite of a few case series, most papers related to myiasis are case reports originated from various parts of Iran. This study discusses on different clinical features of myiasis in Iran and description of one case from Tehran as a representative to nosocomial infection in Iran. Methods: The information needed for this descriptive study was derived mainly from the digital library of Tehran University of Medical Sciences. The larvae have been identified with observing on posterior spiracles, spines of their body and anal tubercles. Results: Total number of reported myiasis cases from Iran is 77 which can be categorized clinically as furuncular, wound, ophthalmic, auricular, nasopharyngeal, oral, intestinal and genitourinary. Based on parasitological features, all myiasis agents in Iran are belonging to Calliphoridae, Sarcophagidae, Oestridae and Syrphidae flies. The case which is reporting in this paper can be mentioned as representative of nosocomial myiasis which it seems to be un- derreported because of some medicolegal reasons. Conclusion: Low number of investigations on various aspects of human myiasis, as well as incuriosity to report of the cases in disease reporting system of health minister, made the myiasis as a neglected disease

Paleoparasitological Findings from Rodent Coprolites Dated At 500 CE Sassanid Era in Archeological Site of Chehrabad(Douzlakh), Salt Mine Northwestern Iran

Background: In this paper, paleoparasitological findings from rodent excrements ob-tained from Chehrabad Salt Mine archeological site located in northwest of Iran are demonstrated and discussed. Methods: Chehrabad Salt Mine archeological site located in northwest of Iran, dated to the Achaemenid (mid 1st mill. BCE) and to Sassanid (3rd cent. - 7th cent. CE) period, is a unique study area to investigate parasites in the past millenniums in Iran. Rodent cop-rolites obtained from this archeological site were thoroughly analyzed for parasite eggs using TSP re-hydration technique. Results: Specimen analyzed were attributed to juvenile and adult rats based on their apparent morphology comparing with the modern dried pellets of Muridea family. Hel-minth eggs retrieved from two positive pellets were identified as Trichosomoides crassi-cauda, Syphacia sp. and Trichuris sp. Conclusion: The present paper discusses the first paleoparasitological findings of ro-dent gastrointestinal helminthes in Iran along with possible favorite items to rats in ancient Chehrabad Salt Mine