Epidemiological features of human brucellosis in central Iran, 2006-2011

Objectives: Brucellosis is still one of the most challenging issues for health and the economy in many developing countries such as Iran. This study investigated the epidemiological features of brucellosis in Isfahan province in central Iran. Study design: This retrospective descriptive study was planned to determine the epidemiological features of brucellosis in central Iran, as this is one of the most endemic areas in the country. Methods: Data collection was performed using epidemiological questionnaires from the private and public sectors over a 4-year period (2006-2009). Results: In total, 1996 cases of brucellosis were reported. The incidence of brucellosis decreased from 17.1/100,000 in 2006 to 8.2/100,000 in 2009. The male: female ratio was 2.1, and the disease was most common in individuals aged 15-20 years. Sixty-eight percent of cases were from rural areas, and the animal contact rate was 81% in rural cases and 61% in urban cases. Raw milk was the most commonly consumed dairy product, consumed by 37% of cases. Conclusions: Health-related interventions need to empower communities at risk, especially young men and adult women in the western districts of Isfahan province. Public health promotion is needed for control of risk factors in these areas. (C) 2012 The Royal Society for Public Health. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Epidemiological characteristics and incidence rate of brucellosis in Isfahan province, Iran, 2012

Background: Brucellosis is a common zoonotic disease, which spread from infected animals to humans .This study aimed to determine the epidemiological characteristics and incidence rate of brucellosis during 2012 in Isfahan province, Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional study assessed all the patients with diagnosis of brucellosis in Isfahan province during 2012. We used t and chi-square test for data analysis. The incidence rate was calculated based on per 100�000 of at-risk population. Findings: Totally, 575 patients with brucellosis were identified of which, 69.9 were men and 87.7 were from rural areas. Housewives-ranchers and children were the most and least at-risk individuals, respectively. The incidence of the disease was 11.13 per 100�000 of at-risk population in the province, 4.15 in male, 9.64 in women, 1.7 in urban areas and 12.9 per 100�000 of at-risk population ear in rural areas during 2012. In addition, there was significant association between the type of disease (new or recurrent) and county of residence and history of contact with animals (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The incidence of brucellosis in the Isfahan province was less than the national average, and this province classified to have very low incidence. In addition, there were clear differences in the geographical distribution of disease in the province. © Journal of Isfahan Medical School. All rights reserved

Field evaluation of phostoxin and zinc phosphide for the control of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis in a hyperendemic area, central Iran

Background & objectives: ZCL is a growing threat in many rural areas of Iran which involves 17 out of 31 provinces. This study was conducted from April to November 2011 for evaluation of the efficacy of phostoxin and zinc phosphide against rodents. Methods: Rodent control operations were carried out using phostoxin and zinc phosphide. To evaluate the effect of rodent control operation on the main vector density, an entomological survey was carried out. The effects of the operation on the disease incidence were also evaluated. Results: After intervention, the reduction rate of rodent burrows was 32.68% in the village treated with phostoxin and 58.14% in the village treated with zinc phosphide. The number of rodent holes in the control area showed 6.66-fold increase at the end of the study. The incidence of the disease decreased to 19.23 and 11.40 in areas treated with phostoxin and zinc phosphide, respectively. A total of 4243 adult sandflies were collected and identified. The most common and dominant species was Phlebotomus papatasi. In the village treated with phostoxin, the density of P. papatasi in outdoors was lower than indoors. Nevertheless, the density of P. papatasi in the village treated with zinc phosphide was higher in outdoors. Interpretation & conclusion: It is concluded that phostoxin is less effective and has low safety in comparison with zinc phosphide, so that this rodenticide can be used only in special situations such as lack or ineffective rodenticides and only in the colonies far from human and animal dwelling places in small scales

Demographic and clinical characteristics of children with cutaneous leishmaniasis in Isfahan province, Iran, during 2011-2015

Background: Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease caused by protozoan called Leishmania that is transmitted by sand flies. The aim of this study was to determine the demographic and clinical characteristics of children with cutaneous leishmaniasis in Isfahan province, Iran. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study on all children patients with age of five years and younger in Isfahan province during 2011 to 2015. Demographic and clinical characters of patients were presented as the number and percentage. The mean age of patients according to sex was compared using t test via SPSS software. Findings: Of 1529 patients, 51.8 were boys, 56.0 were in rural areas, and 92.9 were Iranian. The mean age of patients (± SD) was 2.71 ± 1.5 years. The smallest patient was 2 months old. Most of the patients were in the age group of one year (20.4) and the lowest were in the age group of less than one year (5.6). Leishmania major was the most common (91.8) cause of disease. Wound size at 63.37 of patients was more than 2 cm. In 11.2 of patients the number of wounds was equal or more than 4 wound. In children, face was the most common (33.7) region of wound. Conclusion: Leishmaniasis is endemic in Isfahan province, and children are in high risk for incidence of disease. However, the process for combating the animal reservoirs and mosquito vector should be considered as a priority to control the disease. Furthermore, the facilities should be provided for accurate and timely diagnosis and treatment of patients. © 2017, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All rights reserved