Tehran University of Medical Sciences Journal of Arthropod-Borne Diseases 2322-1984 11 3 2017 10 08 344 353 EN María Guadalupe Montes-Cortés Parasitology and Parasitological Diseases, Veterinary Faculty, Universidad de Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain José Luis Fernández-García Genetics and Animal Breeding, Veterinary Faculty, Universidad de Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain Miguel Ángel Habela Martínez-Estéllez Parasitology and Parasitological Diseases, Veterinary Faculty, Universidad de Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain 2017 04 23 2017 04 23 Background: Equine piroplasmosis is caused by two haemoprotozoan parasites: Babesia caballi and Theileria equi. Negative economic impact on international trade has been associated to endemic sites. This is the reason why carrier detection requires reliable diagnostic methods. Various diagnostic modalities can be used alone or in combination including PCR. However, genetic variation of commonly used genes is still of debate. The aim of this research was to sequence the b-tubulin gene of a B. caballi strain from Spain and to compare it with known b-tubulin sequences. Methods: DNA was isolated from a cryopreserved strain from Spain and acute and chronic carrier horses. Firstly, degenerated primer pairs were designed based on GenBank sequences of different Babesia and Theileria species for sequencing. The primers were redesigned to amplify both parasites, simultaneously. Finally, a species-specific pri­mer pair for B. caballi was designed and a Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism-PCR (PCR-RFLP) assay performed to know the difference of known B. caballi strains. Results: We provided new insights of the b-tubulin gene and a good molecular coverage of this gene, contributing with a number of useful primers to amplify T. equi and B. caballi. Moreover, PCR-RFLP assays based on the exon II of this gene confirmed the causative B. caballi strain in Spanish horses. Conclusion: We reported useful primer pairs for diagnostic and a new sequence of the b-tubulin gene of B. caballi, which will facilitate the development of future assays and the detection of infected horses, preventing thus the spread of this disease worldwide. https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/view/654 https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/download/654/347

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Journal of Arthropod-Borne Diseases 2322-1984 11 3 2017 10 08 427 432 EN Rouhullah Dehghani Social Determinants of Health (SDH) Research Center, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran Hamid Kassiri Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, School of Health, Ahvaz, Iran 2017 09 10 2017 09 10 Background: Scorpions are among the world’s venomous arthropods, they sting humans every year, suffering pain­ful symptoms or losing their lives because of the venom. Odontobuthus doriae Thorell 1876 (Arachnida: Scorpi­onida: Buthidae) is a scorpion of medical importance and therefore its geographical distribution in Isfahan Province has been studied. Methods: This descriptive cross–sectional study was designed between Mar and Jun in 2012 and 2013 in Province of Isfahan, central Iran. Overall, 164 O. doriae scorpions were collected from their natural habitat by identifying the dug burrows. This arthropod’s burrows were identified based on the presence of tumuli, particularly between May and Jun at the sloping foothills of pristine embankments. The sampling data was categorized and compared. Results: The relative frequency of collected O. doriae for the counties was Mobarakeh (13.5%), Shahinshahre (11.5%), Borkhar (9%), Shahreza (7.5%), Kashan (7.5%), Naeen (6%), Natanz (5.5%), Isfahan (4.8%), Najafabad (4.8%), Aran and Bidgol (4.8%), Dehaghan (4.8%), Flavarjan (3.7%), Khomeinishahr (3.7%), Tiran (3.7%), Gol­payegan (3.7%), Ardestan (3.7%) and Lenjan (2.5%). No O. doriae was collected from other counties of the prov­ince. Conclusion: The habitats of O. doriae are more often located in central, eastern and northern regions of the province compared to other regions. Counties of southern and western regions are among cold parts of the province. https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/view/718 https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/download/718/350

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Journal of Arthropod-Borne Diseases 2322-1984 11 3 2017 10 08 441 445 EN Seyed Mohammad Hoseini Department of Pathobiology, Babol Branch, Islamic Azad University, Babol, Iran Bahram Ali Zaheri Department of Environmental Protection Semnan, Semnan, Iran Mohamad Ali Adibi Department of Environmental Protection Semnan, Semnan, Iran Hooman Ronaghi Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Specialized Veterinary Science, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran Amir Hossein Moshrefi Young Researchers and Elite Club, Babol Branch, Islamic Azad University, Babol, Iran 2017 09 12 2017 09 12 Background: The larval stages of Gasterophilus are obligate parasites in the gastrointestinal tract of equine account­able for pathologic ulcers in the Persian onager gastrointestinal. The aim of the current report was to study the histo­pathological change with G. pecorum larvae in the esophagus of a Persian onager. Methods: This study was performed in Iranian Zebra propagation and breeding site in Khartouran National Park, southeast of Shahrud City, Semnan Province, Iran in 2014. Following a necropsy with specific refer to esophagus of one adult female Persian onager were transmitted to the laboratory. After autopsy, parasites collected from the esophagus were transmitted into 70% alcohol. For histopathological investigation, tissue samples were collected from the esophagus. The tissues were fixed in 10% buffered formalin, and conformity routine processing, there were stained with Hematoxylin and eosin. Results: After clarity by lactophenol parasites were identified as G. pecorum. Microscopic recognition contained hyperemia, inflammatory cell infiltration, epithelial destruction, esophageal gland hyperplasia. Conclusion: This is the first survey of G. pecorum and histopathological study in the Persian onager esophagus in the world. https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/view/720 https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/download/720/352

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Journal of Arthropod-Borne Diseases 2322-1984 11 3 2017 10 08 354 362 EN Helen Hoosh-Deghati Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran AND Malaria and Vector Research Group, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran Navid Dinparast-Djadid Malaria and Vector Research Group, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran Vahideh Moin-Vaziri Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Hoda Atta Malaria Control, Word Health Organization/Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office, Cairo, Egypt Abbas Ali Raz Malaria and Vector Research Group, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran Seyyed Javad Seyyed-Tabaei Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Naseh Maleki-Ravasan Malaria and Vector Research Group, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran Hamzeh Alipour Malaria and Vector Research Group, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran Sedigheh Zakeri Malaria and Vector Research Group, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran Eznollah Azar-Gashb Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 2017 05 27 2017 05 27 Background: Malarious areas in Iran are close to Afghanistan and Pakistan that urge the researchers to extend their knowledge on malaria epidemiology to the neighboring countries as well. Vectorial capacity differs at species or even at population level, the first essential step is accurate identification of vectors. This study aimed to identify Anopheles species composition in selected malarious areas of Afghanistan and Iran, providing further applied data for other research in two countries. Methods: Adults Anopheles spp. were collected from four provinces in Afghanistan (Badakhshan, Herat, Kunduz, Nangarhar) by pyrethrum spray catch, hand collection methods through WHO/EMRO coordination and from Chaba­har County in Iran by pyrethrum spray catch method. Identification was performed using reliable identification key. Results: Totally, 800 female Anopheles mosquitos, 400 from each country were identified at species level. Anophe­les composition in Afghanistan was An. superpictus, An. stephensi and An. hyrcanus. Most prevalent species in Ba­dakhshan and Kunduz were An. superpictus, whereas An. stephensi and An. hyrcanus were respectively found in Nangarhar and Heart. Anopheles species in Chabahar County of Iran were An. stephensi, An. fluviatilis, An. culicifa­cies and An. sergentii. The most prevalent species was An. stephensi. Conclusion: Current study provides a basis for future research such as detection of Plasmodium infection in col­lected samples which is on process by the authors, also for effective implementation of evidence-based malaria vec­tor intervention strategies. https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/view/669 https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/download/669/348

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Journal of Arthropod-Borne Diseases 2322-1984 11 3 2017 10 08 433 440 EN Hazrat Bilal Health Services Academy, Islamabad, Pakistan Waseem Akram Department of Agri Entomology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan Soaib Ali Hassan Health Services Academy, Islamabad, Pakistan Sadur Din Water, Agriculture and Technology Transfer Program, Kabul, Afghanistan 2017 02 25 2017 02 25 Background: Dengue fever is a serious public health issue in Pakistan for many years. Globally plants have been reported to contain compounds with insecticidal properties. These properties have been demonstrated more recently on the larval stages of mosquitoes. Therefore, Citrus cultivar seeds were evaluated for larvicidal potential against the primary dengue vector Aedes aegypti. Methods: Extraction of oil was done by a steam distillation method and oils were evaluated according to WHO guidelines for larvicides 2005 for evaluation of insecticidal properties of citrus seed extracts against mosquito larvae. Result: Among the Citrus cultivar seed oil, rough lemon (Citrus jambhiri) had the lowest LC50 value (200.79ppm), while musambi (C. sinensis var musambi) had the highest LC50 value (457.30ppm) after 24 h of exposure. Conclusion: Citrus cultivars have some larvicidal potential but C. jambhiri had the greatest potential against A. ae­gypti larvae. Further small-scale field trials using the extracts of C. jambhiri will be conducted to determine opera­tional feasibility. https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/view/621 https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/download/621/345

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Journal of Arthropod-Borne Diseases 2322-1984 11 3 2017 10 08 363 370 EN Fahimeh Talebzadeh Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Masoud Ghadipasha Iranian Legal Medicine Organization, Tehran, Iran Jaber Gharedaghi Iranian Legal Medicine Organization, Tehran, Iran Naser Yeksan Iranian Legal Medicine Organization, Tehran, Iran Kamran Akbarzadeh Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Mohammad Ali Oshaghi Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 2017 09 10 2017 09 10 Background: Entomological data can provide valuable information for crime scene investigations especially in post- mortem interval (PMI) estimation. This study performed to determine insect fauna of human corpses in Tehran dis­trict. Methods: Insect specimens were collected from 12 human cadavers during spring and summer 2014 and were identi­fied using morphological characteristics. Results: Four fly species including two blowflies Chrysomya albiceps and Lucilia sericata (Calliphoridae), one flesh fly Sarcophaga argyrostoma (Sarcophagidae), and one phorid fly Megaselia scalaris (Phoridae) and a beetle Der­mestes maculatus (Dermestidae) was observed on the human cadavers. Chrysomya albiceps was the most dominant species on the corpses temporally and spatially. Conclusion: Chrysomya albiceps was the most dominant insect species on human cadavers in the area study spatio­temporally. The data make C. albiceps as a valuable entomological indicator for PMI estimation in Tehran and other parts of the country. However, further biological and ecological data such as its behavior, life tables, and consistent developmental time should be investigated when establishing a PMI in the region. https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/view/717 https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/download/717/349

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Journal of Arthropod-Borne Diseases 2322-1984 11 3 2017 10 08 371 382 EN Mulood Mohammadi-Bavani Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Javad Rafinejad Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Ahmad Ali Hanafi-Bojd Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Mohammad Ali Oshaghi ows, goats, sheep, lambs, turtles and also obscure hosts in Kurdistan Province, bordered with Iraq June 2012 to May 2013. Methods: The hosts were selected randomly and examined individually for tick infestation. In case of infestation, ticks were collected using forceps and then preserved in 70% ethyl alcohol. All collected specimens were preserved in tubes and relative information was recorded and then identified based on morphological characteristics. Results: Totally, 1209 ticks were collected. The prevalence of ticks on cows, sheep, goats, lambs, turtles, poultry and obscure hosts was 11.33%, 55.41%, 6.53%, 5.95%, 0.9%, 8.02% and 11.82% respectively. The mean number of ticks on each animal was 1.6. Number of 5 genera, including Rhipicephalus, Argas, Ornithodoros, Hyalomma and Haem­aphysalis and 9 species; including R. sanguineus (60.05%), R. bursa (0.08), Hy. anatolicum (12.33), Hy. asiaticum (1.49), Hy. aegyptium (0.91), Hy. marginatum (0.08), Haemaphysalis parva (4.22), Hyalomma sp. (0.99), Orni­thodoros lahorensis (11.83), and Argas persicus (8.02) were identified. Conclusion: The most abundant species in this study area was Rh. sanguineus (60.05%). Due to high prevalence of tick specimens and a variety of collected species from sheep (55.41%), the vaccination of sheep and control of tick vectors are recommended. https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/view/928 https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/download/928/406

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Journal of Arthropod-Borne Diseases 2322-1984 12 3 2018 07 17 262 268 EN Edson Franzim-Junior Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e Naturais, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil Maria Tays Mendes Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e Naturais, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil Ana Carolina Borella Marfil Anhê Instituto de Tecnologia e Ciências Exatas, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil Thiago Alvares da Costa Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e Naturais, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil Marcos Vinicius Silva Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e Naturais, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil César Gómez Hernandez Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e Naturais, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil Afonso Pelli Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e Naturais, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil Helioswilton Sales-Campos Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e Naturais, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil Carlo Jose Freire Oliveira Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e Naturais, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil 2018 07 17 2018 07 17 Background: Meccus pallidipennis (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) is only found in Mexico and is one of the most important vectors for Trypanosoma cruzi transmission there. Because data concerning the ability of this bug to adapt to different environments are scarce, we aimed to elucidate its biology, behavior and ability to acclimatize to different environ­mental conditions. Methods: From the eclosion of 90 1st instar nymphs, development was followed until the adult phase. Adults were fed after 30 days of fasting, and the average amount of blood ingested, the time between the beginning of the blood meal and the production of feces, and the frequency of stools/insect were recorded during their meals. After taking a blood meal, couples were isolated and monitored for 21 days, during which eggs were collected weekly. Results: The development of M. pallidipennis took 171.74±7.03 days to complete its life cycle, and females ingested larger amounts of blood than males. Oviposition was constant and did not demonstrate a significant decrease during this study. Conclusion: Meccus pallidipennis was able to acclimatize to fluctuating laboratorial conditions other than those naturally found in Mexico. https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/view/942 https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/download/942/407

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Journal of Arthropod-Borne Diseases 2322-1984 12 3 2018 07 18 269 275 EN Seyed Ebrahim Eskandari Center for Research and Training in Skin Diseases and Leprosy (CRTSDL), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Alireza Firooz Center for Research and Training in Skin Diseases and Leprosy (CRTSDL), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Mansour Nassiri-Kashani Center for Research and Training in Skin Diseases and Leprosy (CRTSDL), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Mahmoud Reza Jaafari Nanotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran AND Department of Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran Amir Javadi Center for Research and Training in Skin Diseases and Leprosy (CRTSDL), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran AND School of Allied Sciences, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Akram Miramin-Mohammadi Center for Research and Training in Skin Diseases and Leprosy (CRTSDL), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Hossein Valian-Keshavarz Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran AND Center for Research of Endemic Parasites of Iran, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Ali Khamesipour Center for Research and Training in Skin Diseases and Leprosy (CRTSDL), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 2018 07 18 2018 07 18 Background: Development of a topical treatment for cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is an important step in the im­provement of lesion management. Amphotericin B (AmB) is effective against Leishmania species but it is toxic, a Nano-liposomal form of AmB with a size of about 100nm (Lip-AmB) was developed and showed to be effective against Leishmania major, and Leishmania tropica in vitro and against L. major in vivo in animal model. This study was designed to check the irritancy Draize test in rabbits and was completed in the Center for Research and Training in Skin Diseases and Leprosy, TUMS, in 2012. Methods: Twenty rabbits in 3 steps were housed individually with artificial lighting (12/12h light/dark). SinaAm­pholeish cream or empty liposomes (prepared under GMP condition at Minoo Company, Tehran, Iran), was applied on a gauze patch and the patches were placed on the designated sites of the skin in the back of the rabbits. At 48 and 72h later, the erythema and oedema were checked, scored and recorded. Results: The erythema score in rabbits was 0.83+0.41 for the SinaAmpholeish and 0.5+0.55 for empty liposomes (P= 0.16). The average score for oedema was 0.67+0.52 for SinaAmpholeish and 0.33+0.52 for empty liposomes (P= 0.16). Conclusion: Based on skin irritancy reactions the topical formulation of SinaAmpholeish is safe and could be further checked in human trials. https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/view/943 https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/download/943/408

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Journal of Arthropod-Borne Diseases 2322-1984 12 3 2018 07 25 276 285 EN K. G. Ajith Kumar Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Pookode, Lakkidi, Kerala, India Reghu Ravindran Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Pookode, Lakkidi, Kerala, India Joju Johns Centre for Wildlife Studies, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Pookode, Lakkidi, Kerala, India George Chandy Centre for Wildlife Studies, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Pookode, Lakkidi, Kerala, India Kavitha Rajagopal Department of Livestock Products Technology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Pookode, Lakkidi, Kerala, India Leena Chandrasekhar Department of Veterinary Anatomy, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Pookode, Lakkidi, Kerala, India Ajith Jacob George Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Pookode, Lakkidi, Kerala, India Srikanta Ghosh Entomology Laboratory, Division of Parasitology, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, India 2018 07 25 2018 07 25 Background: We aimed to focus on the ixodid ticks parasitizing wild mammals and reptiles from Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, Western Ghat, southern India. Methods: The taxonomic identification of ticks collected from wild mammals and reptiles was performed based on the morphology of adults. Results: We revealed eight species of ticks including, Amblyomma integrum, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus, Haemaphysalis (Kaiseriana) spinigera, H. (K.) shimoga, H. (K.) bispinosa, H. (Rhipistoma) indica, Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloides and R. sanguineus  s.l. collected from nine species of wild mammals while four tick species Ablyomma kraneveldi, A. pattoni, A. gervaisi and A. javanense parasitizing on four species of reptiles. The highest host rich­ness was shown by H. (K.) bispinosa and R. haemaphysaloides parasitizing six and five different host species, re­spectively.  Reports of R. (B.) annulatus on sambar deer, A. javanense and A. kraneveldi on python as well as A. pat­toni on Indian rat snake are the new host records from this region. Conclusion: Eight species of ticks parasitizing on nine species of wild mammals and four species of parasitizing on four species of reptiles were identified. The highest host richness was shown by H. (K.) bispinosa and R. haemaphy­saloides. H. spinigera as the vector of KFD was also identified in this study. https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/view/948 https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/download/948/409

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Journal of Arthropod-Borne Diseases 2322-1984 12 3 2018 07 28 286 295 EN Suman Sundar Mohanty Desert Medicine Research Centre (Indian Council of Medical Research), New Pali Road, Jodhpur, India Sunita Meena Department of Biotechnology, Jaipur National University, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India Phool Chand Kanojia Desert Medicine Research Centre (Indian Council of Medical Research), New Pali Road, Jodhpur, India 2018 07 28 2018 07 28 Background: Transmission of malaria and dengue in the desert part of India is mainly caused by Anopheles ste­phensi and Aedes aegypti respectively. The maintenance and transmission of the pathogens that cause malaria and dengue are dependent on the physiology of the mosquito vectors. We aimed to measure the energy contents in the mosquitoes transmitting malaria and dengue in the desert part of the country. Methods: Immature stages of mosquitoes were collected from six different larval habitats situated in Jodhpur City of Rajasthan state, India. The immature stages of both the mosquitoes were collected once in fortnightly from each loca­tion. Quantitative estimations of the lipid, glucose, and glycogen of the laboratory-reared and field collected An. stephensi and Ae. aegypti were made by spectrophotometric method. The energy contents of the larvae, pupae, fe­males, and males were estimated in triplicates on six different occasions. Results: The lipid content of laboratory-reared larvae, pupae and female mosquitoes of An. stephensi and Ae. aegypti was found to be lower than their conspecific field-collected specimens. Whereas, the glycogen content in the la­boratory-reared larvae, pupae and female mosquitoes of An. stephensi and Ae. aegypti was higher than that of their conspecific field-collected specimens. The glucose content in all the stages of the laboratory-reared An. stephensi was lower than their conspecific field-collected specimens except in few cases. Conclusion: The higher amount of lipid in field-collected mosquitoes may be because of the availability of food in the natural habitat and adaptation of mosquitoes. Mosquitoes living in desert climate are physiologically better equipped to survive in the desert environment. https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/view/953 https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/download/953/410

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Journal of Arthropod-Borne Diseases 2322-1984 12 3 2018 08 21 296 309 EN Mansour Nazari Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran Ali Najafi Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran Mohammad Reza Abai Department of Medical Entomology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 2018 08 21 2018 08 21 Background: Scorpions have medical importance in the studied area with 2377 cases of envenoming during past six years. This study was the first to explore the scorpion species and dispersion in the Kazerun District during 2014–2015. Methods: The studied sites were selected based on different topographic conditions such as plain, foothill and mountainous which formed four geographical zones with three villages in each zone. The sampling was carried out twice each month throughout the year. Daytime collections were carried out using hand digging tools for moving stones and excavate the borrows, as well as night sampling, is done with the black light device. The co­ordinate o