Background: This study evaluates a herbal shampoo containing Gharaghorot, vinegar, and Ajwain for managing head lice, particularly in resource-limited settings.

Methods: The herbal shampoo formulation constituted 100% final solution, composed of: 28.85% Gharaghorot extract (prepared from sour yogurt juice), 67.31% apple cider vinegar, 2.88% Ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi) essential oil, and 0.96% xanthan gum (a biocompatible thickening agent). Cell toxicity and sterility were assessed using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and fluid thioglycollate and soybean casein digest media, respectively. Irritation and sensitization tests were conducted on rabbits and guinea pigs, respectively. A ran­domized controlled trial with 114 patients compared the herbal shampoo to standard Permethrin treatment (Permethrin shampoo 1%). Participants applied the shampoo daily for one hour over seven days, with efficacy evaluated by counting live lice and nits before treatment, three days in, and seven days post-treatment.

Results: The herbal shampoo exhibited no significant cytotoxicity at concentrations of 10% or lower. The shampoo did not cause sensitization, edema, or erythema. Microbial contamination analysis showed no detectable levels of aerobic or anaerobic bacteria or fungal spores. In the human study, the intervention group showed a 0% prevalence of live lice by the seventh day, compared to 50% in the permethrin group (P= 0.021), and a significant reduction in lice eggs to 42% versus 100% in the permethrin group (P= 0.025).

Conclusion: The herbal shampoo demonstrated safety, microbiological purity, and notable efficacy in reducing live head lice and partial effectiveness against nits (42% egg viability post-treatment).

Introduction: Mosquitoes transmit several diseases to humans. New and environmentally safe methods are needed to control mosquito populations effectively. This study aimed to evaluate the larvicidal and repellent properties of extracts and silver nanoparticles synthesized from Zataria multiflora (Shirazi thyme).

Methods: To determine the larvicidal and repellent properties of Z. multiflora, we tested different concentrations of synthesized silver nanoparticles and crude extract against this malaria vector.

Results: The crude extract exhibited weak larvicidal activity, with an LC₅₀ of 616.52 μg/mL and an LC₉₀ of 1109.74 μg/mL. However, the synthesized silver nanoparticles are highly active on the larvae of Anopheles stephensi, with an LC₅₀ at 51.07 μg/mL and an LC₉₀ at 119.04 μg/mL. Both the crude extract (ED₅₀: 0.00031 μg/cm²; ED₉₀: 0.0018 μg/ cm²) and silver nanoparticles (ED₅₀: 0.000072 μg/cm²; ED₉₀: 0.00048 μg/cm²) demonstrated significant repellent activ­ity. Particle size analysis revealed a range of 24.56 to 63.76 nanometers, with an average size of 52.7 nanometers.

Conclusion: This study showed that Z. multiflora silver nanoparticles have significant larvicidal properties, so they are suggested as a nature-friendly larvicide.

Background: Global trade and travel are key factors affecting the initial introduction of vectors and VBDs (vector-borne diseases) in a country. Vectors know no borders; it is essential to establish systems for the surveillance of vectors and vector-borne diseases (VBDs). This study was conducted to investigate the strengths and weaknesses of a newly established entomological surveillance system for Aedes mosquitoes at points of entry (PoE) in West Azerbaijan Prov­ince.

Methods: The Aedes surveillance system was implemented in West Azerbaijan Province from 2019 to 2023. Following national guidelines, Aedes eggs and larvae were surveyed at eight international PoEs using ovitraps and by collecting larvae from natural or artificial habitats. A specific checklist designed for this study was employed to evaluate the pro­gram.

Results: Over 9008 ovitraps were deployed, while 552 had eggs, including species from the families Phasmatidae and Psychodidae, as well as species from the genus Culex and Aedes caspius. Additionally, 506 larvae were collected during the surveillance period. The program had several key strengths, including a well-structured reporting system, robust technical support, knowledgeable personnel, designated health staff spaces at PoE, standardized surveillance tools, initi­atives for environmental enhancement, the establishment of an entomology laboratory, cross-border collaborations, and public health education campaigns. Identified weaknesses comprised staff and entomologist shortages, the absence of a functional insectary, limited engagement of volunteer groups, and inadequate availability of insecticides and tools for emergency vector control. 

Conclusions: The study outcomes shed light on the challenges and suggest operational and practical solutions to ad­dress the identified shortcomings.

Background: Zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) is one of the most prevalent vector-borne diseases. The under­standing of the knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding ZCL in Iran has not been thoroughly examined. This in­vestigation focused on the risk factors for ZCL within an endemic region in the Mehran District of Ilam Province.

Methods: This case-control study was conducted from 2022 to 2023. Cases (n=372) were selected using the incident case approach from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Similarly, 372 controls were chosen through cluster random sampling from the general population. To measure exposure to various risk factors, a validated, research-developed questionnaire was utilized. Binary logistic regression modelling was employed to assess the association between the de­velopment of leishmaniasis and several risk factors. A p-value of 0.05 was set as the threshold for statistical signifi­cance.

Results: Living near rodent nests or holes (Odds Ratio: 6.51), having bathroom and toilet located outside the house (OR: ), residing close to farms or gardens (OR: 8.26) or specific plants (OR: 6.22), observing a rodent near one's home (OR: 2.66), and the accumulation of building debris near residential areas (OR: 13.03) significantly increased risk of developing cutaneous leishmaniasis. In contrast, the use of insecticides (OR: 0.03) and lotions or other insect repel­lents (OR: 0.31) significantly decreased the risk of this disease.

Conclusion: The development of ZCL in the Mehran district, Ilam province, southwest Iran, is hindered by inadequate health education and public awareness regarding the disease, as well as insufficient adherence to Iran's care guidelines.

Background: Trypanosomosis is one of the most important and deadliest diseases of canines. Usually within 3 to 4 weeks an infected dog dies in the acute form of the disease. The use of inappropriate doses of anti-trypanosomatid drugs in animals leads to the development of huge resistance in the organisms.

Methods: The present study communicates the successive therapeutic management of clinical trypanosomiasis with five doses of diminazine aceturate injection. One mongrel dog came with the clinical signs of persistent fever, tachycar­dia, severe dehydration, pale mucous membrane, corneal opacity, prolonged recumbency, and enlargement of superfi­cial lymph nodes. A Giemsa-stained thin blood smear revealed the presence of Trypanosoma organisms. Haematobio­chemical parameters revealed lowered total leucocyte count, haemoglobin, total platelet count, serum total protein, and blood glucose levels and elevated levels of alkaline phosphatase, serum creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen.

Results: We observed the animal responded after the third day of post-therapy, and the clinical and haematobiochemi­cal improvement was recorded after twenty days of post-therapy. The corneal opacity completely subsides after 28 days consequently.

Conclusions: During our study we found that the proper significant dosing of diminazine aceturate can cure the Trypa­nosomosis in dogs.

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