Tehran University of Medical Sciences Journal of Arthropod-Borne Diseases 2322-1984 7 2 2013 12 15 100 112 EN Ali Reza Mesdaghinia School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran AND Environmental Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Hassan Vatandoost School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran AND Environmental Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Ahmad Ali Hanafi-Bojd School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Reza Majdzadeh School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Ahmad Raeisi School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. 2015 10 16 Background: Malaria is still a public health problem in the world. One of the main objectives of World Health or-ganization is capacity building of authorities who are involved with malaria control activities. Methods: The first course was conducted in 1996 in Bandar Abbas Training center. The course was conducted jointly by the Ministry of Health and Medical Education of Iran, WHO-EMRO and School of Public health, Tehran university of Medical Sciences. In year 2002, Iran has been designated as WHO regional Malaria Training Center. Prior to initiate the course, pre-test evaluations including 11 subjects were carried out. The examinations include multiple choice questions. Different methods of teaching including lecture, laboratory, workshop, team work, field exercise and presentation were used. The duration of the course was 9 weeks. A total of 360 contact hours were taught. The main subjects were Basic epidemiology and Simple Statistics, Malaria Parasitology, Malaria disease Management, Malaria Entomology, Vector Control, Epidemiological approach, Filed work and Planning.The requirement for achievement of the course was to have at least 60% of the total mark for awarding the diploma certificate. The 13th course was conducted by the financial support of Islamic Development Bank (IDB). Results: A total of 300 participants from 26 different countries have been graduated from these courses so far. Conclusion: This course is providing the skill for decision making, how to combat against malaria in their country and is parallel to the policy of the malaria control for capacity building in malarious areas of the world. https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/view/219 https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/download/219/196

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Journal of Arthropod-Borne Diseases 2322-1984 7 2 2013 12 15 113 121 EN Mohammad Reza Yaghoobi-Ershadi School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Farideh Shahbazi School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Mohammad Darvishi Deputy of Health Services, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran. Amir Ahmad Akhavan School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Reza Jafari Esfahan Health Research Station, National Institute of Health Research, Esfahan, Iran. Mohammad Khajeian Deputy of Health Services, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran. Yavar Rassi School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Hassan Soleimani Yazd Health Research Station, National Institute of Health Research, Yazd, Iran. Mohammad Reza Shirzadi Communicable Diseases Management Center, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran. Ahmad Ali Hanafi-Bojd School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Hossein Darabi The Persian Gulf Tropical Medicine Research, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran. Mohammad Hossein Arandian Esfahan Health Research Station, National Institute of Health Research, Esfahan, Iran. Alireza Sanei-Dehkordi School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Mansour Heidari Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. 2015 10 16 Background: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) represents the most frequent vector borne parasitoses in Iran. The ob-jective of this study was to determine the epidemiological features of CL including human infection and the reservoir host in the city of Bushehr, Bushehr Province, Iran during 2010–2011. Methods: Studies on human infection was carried out on 2962 school children aged 7–14 years old from 60 primary schools and among 400 households with a total population of 1568 in four infected districts of the city in December 2010. Serosity materials from patients on glass slides were collected for molecular identification of causative agent. Rodents were caught by Sherman traps and examined for identification of the parasite. Results: Prevalence of scars and ulcers among the inhabitants were 5.86% and 0.12% respectively. Molecular study indicated the presence of two coexisting species: Leishmania major and L. tropica among patients. The scar rate was 1.24% but no ulcers were seen among the students. Nineteen rodents were caught and identified as Tatera indica (47.4%) and Rattus norvegicus (52.6%). Specimens from 7 T. indica and 9 R. norvegicus were examined by two techniques, microscopic examination and nested-PCR. Out of 7 T. indica, 14.3% were infected with L. major and 42.9% with L. turanica by nested-PCR. Out of 9 R. norvegicus 22.2% were infected with L. turanica and 11.1% with L. gerbilli. Conclusion: Based on this survey L. major and L. tropica are the causative agents of the disease among patients and T. indica plays a predominant role in the dissemination of L. major in the city. https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/view/241 https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/download/241/218

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Journal of Arthropod-Borne Diseases 2322-1984 7 2 2013 12 15 122 131 EN Mohammad Akhoundi Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, ANSES, EA4688-USC «Transmission vectorielle et épidémiosurveillance de maladies parasitaires (VECPAR)», Faculté de Pharmacie, Département de la parasitologie, Reims, France AND Pasteur Institute of Iran, Department of Parasitology, Molecular Systematic Laboratory, Tehran, Iran. Ahmad Baghaei Pasteur Institute of Iran, Department of Parasitology, Molecular Systematic Laboratory, Tehran, Iran. Jérôme Depaquit Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, ANSES, EA4688-USC «Transmission vectorielle et épidémiosurveillance de maladies parasitaires (VECPAR)», Faculté de Pharmacie, Département de la parasitologie, Reims, France. Parviz Parvizi Pasteur Institute of Iran, Department of Parasitology, Molecular Systematic Laboratory, Tehran, Iran. 2015 10 16 Background: Cutaneous leishmaniasis due to Leishmania major is a serious and increasing problem affecting manyrural areas of 17 out of 31 provinces in Iran. Little is known about sand fly fauna and leishmaniases in Eastern Iran and no study has been carried out in Sarbisheh County. The aim of this study was to determine sand flies composi- tion and probable Leishmania infection to find the probable vectors of leishmaniasis in Sarbisheh district. Methods: Sand flies were caught using both sticky papers and CDC light traps in August 2010. They were identified morphologically and analyzed for Leishmania infection by amplification of ITS-rDNA. Results: Totally, 842 specimens were caught and 8 species recorded. They belonged to the genera Phlebotomus and Sergentomyia: P. (Phlebotomus) papatasi, P. (Paraphlebotomus) sergenti, P. (Pa.) caucasicus, P. (Pa.) mongolensis, P. (Pa.) jacusieli, S. (Sergentomyia) dentata, S. (Se.) sintoni and S. (Sintonius) clydei. All collected females were processed for Leishmania DNA detection by PCR amplifying of Internal Transcribed Spacer1 (partial sequence),5.8S (complete sequence) and ITS2 (partial sequence) fragments. Thirteen females were positive for Leishmania DNA. The sequencing of the 430 bp amplicons indicated that 9  P. papatasi and 3 females belonging to the Caucasicus group carried L. major DNA whereas one P. sergenti carried L. tropica DNA. Conclusion: Phlebotomus papatasi and P. sergenti are, like in several places, the probable vectors of cutaneous leishmaniases in this emerging or unknown focus of cutaneous leishmaniases. https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/view/239 https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/download/239/216

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Journal of Arthropod-Borne Diseases 2322-1984 7 2 2013 12 15 132 138 EN Mousa Tavassoli Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran. Mohammad Tabatabaei Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran. Mosleh Mohammadi Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran. Bijan Esmaeilnejad Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran. Hemn Mohamadpour Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medical Science, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran. 2015 10 16 Background: Babesiosis is a haemoparasitic disease of domestic and wild animals caused by species of the genusBabesia. Babesia bigemina, B. bovis and B. divergens are known to be pathogenic in cattle. The disease is transmit- ted during blood feeding by infected ticks and is the most economically important tick-borne disease in tropical and subtropical areas. Ixodid ticks are vectors in the transmission of babesiosis. The classic presentation is a febrile syn- drome with apparent anemia and hemoglobinuria. This study was carried out to determine species of bovine Babesia spp. vector ticks collected from naturally occurring bovine babesiosis in West and North-West of Iran. Methods: Two hundred and eleven ticks were collected from 113 cattle and ticks' species were identified using the standard taxonomic keys. After DNA extraction from salivary glands of each tick, the presence of Babesia spp. in- fection in ticks was examined by PCR method using primers derived from the gene encoding rhoptry protein. Results: Rhipicephalus sanguineus and R. bursa ticks were infected with bovine Babesia spp. Conclusion: Rhipicephalus spp. may play a major role in the transmission of infection of bovine Babesia spp. in West and North-West of Iran. https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/view/237 https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/download/237/214

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Journal of Arthropod-Borne Diseases 2322-1984 7 2 2013 12 15 139 146 EN Mehdi Khoobdel Health Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Taghi Zahraei-Salehi Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran. Bahar Nayeri-Fasaei Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran. Mohammad Khosravi Health Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Zahra Omidian Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran. Mohammad Hassan Motedayen Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute-Karaj Branch, Karaj, Iran. Abolfazal Akbari Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute-Karaj Branch, Karaj, Iran. 2015 10 16 Background: Scorpions stings are a health problem in many parts of the world. Mesobuthus eupeus (Buthidae) is the most prevalent species in the Middle East and Central Asia. Definition of toxicogenic and immunogenic characteris- tics of the venom is necessary to produce antidote. In this study, the noted properties of M. eupeus venom were eval- uated. Methods: Venom was obtained by milking M. eupeus scorpions for lyophilization. Toxicity was determined after injecting the venom to albino mice and calculating LD50. Polyclonal antibodies against M. eupeus venom were ob- tained from immunized rabbits. The CH-Sepharose 4B column was used for isolating the specific antibodies. 10 mg of the affinity-purified antibodies were conjugated with a CH-Sepharose 4B column and M. eupeus venom was ap- plied to the column. The bound fragments were eluted using hydrogen chloride (pH: 2.5). Crude venom and affinity- purified fractions of the venom were analyzed by SDS-PAGE technique. Results: Lethal dose (LD) was 8.75, 11.5 and 4.5 mg/kg for IP, SC and IV respectively. The LD50  of M. eupeus venom was 6.95 mg/kg. The crude venom had 12 detectable bands with molecular weights of 140, 70, 50, 33, 30, 27,22, 18, 14, 10 kDa and two bands less than 5 kDa. The affinity-purified venom presented eight bands. The 27 kDa band was clearly sharper than other bands but 70, 18, 10 and one of the less than 5 kDa bands were not observed. Conclusions: Contrary to popular belief, which know scorpion venom as non-immunogenic composition, the current study was shown that the most fractions of the M. eupeus are immunogenic. https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/view/235 https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/download/235/212

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Journal of Arthropod-Borne Diseases 2322-1984 7 2 2013 12 15 147 53 EN Rubén Bueno-Marí Laboratorio de Entomología y Control de Plagas, Instituto Cavanilles de Biodiversidad y Biología Evolutiva, Universitat de València-Estudi General, Valencia, Spain. Ricardo Jiménez-Peydró Laboratorio de Entomología y Control de Plagas, Instituto Cavanilles de Biodiversidad y Biología Evolutiva, Universitat de València-Estudi General, Valencia, Spain. 2015 10 16 Background: A field study on diversity and distribution of anophelines currently present in a past endemic malaria area of Spain was carried out in order to identify possible risk areas of local disease transmission. Methods: Multiple larval sites were sampled from June to October of 2011 in the Region of Somontano de Barbastro (Northeastern Spain). The sampling effort was fixed at 10 minutes which included the active search for larvae in each biotope visited. Results: A total of 237 larval specimens belonging to four Anopheles species (Anopheles atroparvus, An. claviger, An. maculipennis and An. petragnani) were collected and identified. Conclusions: Malaria receptivity in the study area is high, especially in the area of Cinca river valley, due to the abundance of breeding sites of An. atroparvus very close to human settlements. Although current socio-econBranch, Damghan, Iran. Sara Hajikhani Department of Pathology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Ghazaleh Oshaghi Department of Nutrition, National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute (NNFTRI), Faculty of Nutrition Sciences and Food Technology, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Mohammad Hasan Shirazi Department of Pathology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. 2015 10 10 2015 10 10 Background: Cockroaches mechanically spread pathogenic agents, however, little is known about their gut microbiota. Identification of midgut microbial community helps targeting novel biological control strategies such as paratransgenesis. Here the bacterial microbiota of Periplaneta americana midgut, were identified and evaluated for finding proper paratransgenesis candidate. Methods: Midgut of specimens were dissected and cultivated in different media. The bacterial isolates were then identified using the phenotypic and 16S-rRNA sequencing methods. Results: The analytical profile index (API) kit showed presence of 11 bacterial species including: Escherichia coli, Shigella flexineri, Citrobacter freundii, E. vulneris, Enterobacter cloacae, Yersinia pseudotuberculosis, Y. intermedia, Leclericia adecarboxylata, Klebsiella oxytoca, K. planticola, and Rahnella aquatilis in the cockroach midguts. The first three species are potentially symbiotic whereas others are transient. The conventional plating method revealed presence of only four isolates of Salmonella, E. coli, and Proteus which in three cases mismatched with API and 16S-rRNA genotyping. The API correctly identified the four isolates as Shigella flexneri, Citrobacter freundii, and E. coli (n= 2). 16S-rRNA sequence analysis confirmed the API results; however the C. freundii sequence was identical with C. murliniae indicating lack of genetic variation in the gene between these two closely related species. Conclusion: A low number of potentially symbiotic bacteria were found in the American cockroach midguts. Among them Enterobacter cloacae is a potential candidate for paratransgenesis approach whereas other bacteria are pathogens and are not useful for the approach. Data analysis showed that identification levels increase from the conventional to API and to genotyping respectively. https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/view/117 https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/download/117/105

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Journal of Arthropod-Borne Diseases 2322-1984 9 1 2015 10 11 49 59 EN Seyed Hassan Moosa-Kazemi Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Amir Hosein Zahirnia Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Farid Sharifi Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Behroz Davari Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Iran. 2015 10 10 2015 10 10 Background: The aim of this study was to obtain new data which would be valuable to develop programs for future planning of mosquito controls in in western Iran. Methods: Larvae and adult collections were carried out from different habitats using standard dipping and animal baited trap methods during May, June and July 2012 in two provinces (Kurdistan and Kermanshah) in the west of Iran. Characteristics of breeding places were studied based on the habitat type (River edge, Ground pool), water conditions (clear or turbid, stagnant or running), vegetation (With or without vegetation), water temperature, sunlight exposure (full or partial sunlight) and so on. Results: Overall, 4081 third- and fourth-instars larvae and 2013 Adult were collected. Five genera and eleven species of the family Culicidae were identified. Mosquitoes collected in larval and adult stages including, Anopheles maculipennis s.l. (4.1%, 4.42%), An. superpictus (1.35%,1.39%), An. turkhudi (1.75%,1.68%), Aedes vexans (2.5%, 8.78%), Culex hortensis (1.59%, 1.04%), Cx. mimeticus (5%, 2.38%), Cx. pipiens (16.5%, 8.15%), Cx. theileri (10%, 46.4%), Culiseta longiareolata (24%, 4.27%), and Cs. subochrea (24%, 4.27%) and Ochlerotatus caspius s.l. (9.1%, 21.46%). Culiseta longiareolata and Cs. subochrea found predominant species in larval collection, whereas Culex theileri was dominant in Adult collection. Anopheles turkhudi is reported for the first time in Kermanshah Province. Conclusion: Due to the geographical location of the two provinces, extensively studies with emphasis on mosquito ecology, to having comprehensive and up to date information is essential. https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/view/118 https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/download/118/106

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Journal of Arthropod-Borne Diseases 2322-1984 9 1 2015 10 11 60 70 EN Naimatallah Maghsoodi Health Center of Izeh District, Jondishapour University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran AND Department of Medical Entomology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Hossin Ladonni Department of Medical Entomology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Hamid Reza Basseri Department of Medical Entomology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. 2015 10 10 2015 10 10 Background: The most part of Iran become malaria-free region and fall in prevention of re-introduction stage. These regions however are struggling with imported of malaria cases where malaria vectors exist. Therefore, understanding the situation of mosquito vectors is crucial. This study was carried out to find out the present situation of malaria vectors and malaria transmission potential in a malaria-free area. Methods: The study was conducted in a malaria free area, Izeh County, Khuzestan Province during 12 months in 2011–2012. Five villages, including 2 in highlands and 3 in plain area, were selected randomly. The mosquito sampling methods were conducted using spray sheet and hand catch collection methods from indoor/outdoors, window trap and larvae collections. Results: In total, 3352 female Anopheles were captured, 1826 mosquito from highland and 1526 from plain areas. Five species, An. stephensi, An. fluviatilis s.l., An. dthali, An. superpictus and An. pulcherrimus were identified. The seasonal activities were started from April to March. The abdominal conditions of collected mosquitoes from indoor/ outdoor places pointed to exophilic propensity of An. fluviatilis.l. s.l. and endophilic behaviour for rest of the vectors. The results of window trap also confirmed these behaviors. The larval habitats of four species were widely dispersed and included spring, margin of rivers, irrigation channels, stagnant water and rice filed. Conclusion: Understanding the present situation of malaria vectors in free-malaria area is crucial particularly where is struggling with imported cases. The results of present study can be expanded to other area of northern Khuzestan for malaria vector control planning in reintroduction prevention stage. https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/view/126 https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/download/126/114

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Journal of Arthropod-Borne Diseases 2322-1984 9 1 2015 10 11 71 83 EN Aboozar Soltani Department of Medical Entomology and vector control, School of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran AND Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Public Health and National Institute of Health Research, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Hassan Vatandoost Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Public Health and National Institute of Health Research, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. MohammadAli Oshaghi Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Public Health and National Institute of Health Research, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Naseh Maleki-Ravasan Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Public Health and National Institute of Health Research, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. AhmadAli Enayati School of Public Health and Health Research Centre, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran. Fatemeh Asgarian School of Public Health and Health Research Centre, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran. 2015 10 10 2015 10 10 Background: Anopheles stephensi is a sub-tropical species and has been considered as one of the most important vector of human malaria throughout the Middle East and South Asian region including the malarious areas of southern Iran. Current reports confirmed An. stephensi resistance to temephos in Oman and India. However, there is no comprehensive research on mechanisms of temephos resistance in An. stephensi in the literature. This study was designed in order to clarify the enzymatic and molecular mechanisms of temephos resistance in this species. Methods: Profile activities of α- and ß-esterases, mixed function oxidase (MFO), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), insensitive acetylcholinesterase, and para-nitrophenyl acetate (PNPA)-esterase enzymes were tested for An. stephensi strain with resistance ratio of 15.82 to temephos in comparison with susceptible strain. Results: Results showed that the mean activity of α-EST, GST and AChE enzymes were classified as altered indicating metabolic mechanisms have considerable role in resistance of An. stephensi to temephos. Molecular study using PCR-RFLP method to trace the G119S mutation in ACE-1 gene showed lack of the mutation responsible for organophosphate insecticide resistance in the temephos-selected strain of An. stephensi. Conclusion: This study showed that the altered enzymes but not targets site insensitivity of ACE-1 are responsible for temephos resistance in An. stephensi in south of Iran. https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/view/119 https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/download/119/107

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Journal of Arthropod-Borne Diseases 2322-1984 9 1 2015 10 11 84 97 EN Alireza Zahraei-Ramazani Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Dinesh Kumar Department of Zoology, Centre of Advanced Study, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221 005, India. Hossein Mirhendi Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Shyam Sundar Department of Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221 005, India. Rajnikan Mishra Department of Zoology, Centre of Advanced Study, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221 005, India. Vahideh Moin-Vaziri Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Hassan Soleimani Yazd Health Research Station, National Institute of Health Research, Yazd, Iran. Mohammad Reza Shirzadi Communicable Disease Management Centre, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran. Reza Jafari Esfahan Health Research Station, National Institute of Health Research, Esfahan, Iran. Ahmad Ali Hanafi-Bojd Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Sodabe Hamedi-Shahraky School of Health, Zabol University of Medical Sciences, Zabol, Iran. Mohammad Reza Yaghoobi-Ershadi Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. 2015 10 10 2015 10 10 Background: Female sand flies of subgenus Adlerius are considered as probable vectors of visceral leishmaniasis in Iran. The objective of this study was to determine the morphological and genotypic variations in the populations of this subgenus in the country. Methods: Sand flies collected using sticky traps from 17 provinces during 2008–2010. The morphometric measurements were conducted with an Ocular Micrometer. Data was analyzed by SPSS. The Cytb gene was used to estimate population genetic diversity and identify the female specimens. UPGMA phenetic tree was used for DNA haplotypes of Cytb gene. Results: Six species of subgenus Adlerius identified from which one species, P. (Adlerius) kabulensis, is new record. The identification key is provided for males. Results revealed the molecular systematic in the species of subgenus Adlerius and determine the relationship of three females of P. comatus, P. balcanicus and P. halepensis. Conclusion: The positions of three females and the males in the UPGMA tree are correct and the similarities among them confirm our results. The branches of each species are not genetically distinct which justify the overlapping morphological characters among them. Molecular sequencing of Cytb-mtDNA haplotypes can be used for female identification for different species of subgenus Adlerius in Iran. https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/view/120 https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/download/120/108

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Journal of Arthropod-Borne Diseases 2322-1984 9 1 2015 10 11 98 103 EN Nasser Hajipour Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran. Mousa Tavassoli Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran. Tahmineh Gorgani-Firouzjaee Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran. Soraya Naem Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran. Behzad Pourreza Department of Clinical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Tehran University, Tehran, Iran.