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Review Article

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    Background: Malaria remains a major global health challenge, disproportionately affecting sub-Saharan Africa. The growing threat of resistance to insecticides in Anopheles vector populations poses a major challenge to the efficacy of core interventions such as long-lasting insecticide-treated nets (LLINs) and indoor residual spraying (IRS). This sys­tematic review aimed to evaluate the contribution of omics approaches, particularly genomics, transcriptomics, and mul­ti-omics, to understanding the resistance mechanisms in malaria vectors in sub-Saharan Africa and their impact on cur­rent and future vector control strategies.
    Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted using PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar for eligible studies published between January 2016 and April 2025. Studies using at least one omics approach to investigate re­sistance in Anopheles species were included. We extracted and analyzed data on study location, vector species, omics methods, insecticide classes, resistance mechanisms, and key findings according to PRISMA guidelines.
    Results: Twenty-two studies met the inclusion criteria. Genomic and transcriptomic approaches revealed key resistance mechanisms, notably involving metabolic resistance, target-site mutations, and cuticular changes. Multi-omics studies uncovered novel resistance markers such as CYP450 reductase (CPR), UDP-glycosyltransferases (UGTs), and salivary gland proteins. Multi-country collaborations were common, reflecting the cross-border nature of insecticide resistance, while species-specific responses highlighted localized adaptation.
    Conclusion: Omics studies have significantly enhanced the understanding of resistance to insecticides among malaria vectors, offering valuable insights for molecular diagnostics and region-specific vector control. Integrating these ap­proaches into routine surveillance is crucial to inform sustainable malaria control and elimination strategies.

Original Article

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    Background: Hair follicle mites of the genus Demodex (Prostigmata: Demodicidae) are the most common external obligate parasites in humans, which reside in the eyelids, sebaceous glands, and ear canal, and can cause clinical dis­ease. The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible role of Demodex parasites in causing discomfort in pa­tients referred to Tehran laboratories due to hair loss.
    Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 520 patients referred to a laboratory in Tehran, Iran, presenting with hair loss. Sampling was performed from the scalp and face, and samples were examined for Demodex mites using light microscopy.
    Results: The results showed that among the 520 patients referred to the laboratory, 66.15% were infected with Demo­dex. Out of 344 positive cases, 83.43% were women and 16.57% were men. Among the affected patients aged between 7 and 70 years, most patients (59.01%) were in the age group of 25.4 to 39.2 years. A high prevalence of Demodex in­festation (66.15%) was found among patients with hair loss. 
    Conclusion: Our findings establish a highly significant, direct correlation between the severity of hair loss and the den­sity of Demodex mite infestation (p< 0.001). We propose that high Demodex mite density is a significant contributory factor in the etiology of severe hair loss.