Tehran University of Medical Sciences Journal of Arthropod-Borne Diseases 2322-1984 12 2 2018 06 13 101 107 EN Alireza Sanei-Dehkordi Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, Faculty of Health, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran AND Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Hormozgan Health Institute, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran Sahereh Gholami Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Mohammad Reza Abai Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Mohammad Mehdi Sedaghat Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 2018 04 28 2018 04 28 Background: Natural plant products as larvicides could be considered as desirable alternatives to synthetic chemi­cal insecticides for vector management. This study was undertaken to assess the mosquito larvicide activity of the essential oil from fresh leaves of Platycladus orientalis against two medically important species of mosquito vec­tors. Methods: Essential oil was extracted by hydrodistillation and analyzed with gas chromatography and mass spec­trometry (GC-MS). Fresh leaves of P. orientalis tree (500g) were collected in June 2014 from Tehran, Iran and was authenticated at the Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Public Health, Tehran Uni­versity of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. In addition, the larvicidal potential of oil was evaluated against late-3rd or young-4th instar larvae of Anopheles stephensi and Culex pipiens under laboratory condition. The mortality counts were made after 24h and LC50 and LC90 values were calculated. Results: Forty-six components in leaves of P. orientalis were identified. The major components were α-Pinene (20.17%), 3-Carene (14%) and Cedrol (9.51%). The LC50 values against An. stephensi and Cx. pipiens larvae were 11.67ppm and 18.60ppm after 24h, respectively. Conclusion: Platycladus orientalis oil could be considered as a natural larvicide for mosquito larval control. https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/view/869 https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/download/869/377

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Journal of Arthropod-Borne Diseases 2322-1984 12 2 2018 06 13 108 118 EN Wajihullah Khan Section of Parasitology, Department of Zoology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India Haytham A. Zakai Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Khadija Khan Section of Parasitology, Department of Zoology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India Sharba Kausar Section of Parasitology, Department of Zoology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India Sana Aqeel Section of Parasitology, Department of Zoology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India 2018 05 15 2018 05 15 Background: Malaria and dengue are the most widespread infectious diseases of tropical countries with an estimated 219 and 50 million cases globally. The aim of the proposed study was to find out discriminating clinical features of falciparum malaria and dengue. Method: Falciparum malaria was diagnosed by looking at the ring and gametocyte stages by microscopic examina­tion in Giemsa stained slides. Dengue was diagnosed by ELISA for dengue-specific IgM and IgG. Liver enzymes (AST and ALT) and kidney markers (creatinine and urea) were estimated by standard biochemical techniques. Result: AST and ALT showed similar rise in both, severe malaria and dengue patients but it was much pronounced in dengue haemorrhagic fever where it attained 3–4 folds increase. Creatinine and urea showed higher levels in den­gue compared to malaria. Thrombocytopenia (76.27%), convulsions (18.64%) and hepatic dysfunction (5.08%) were more prominent in dengue than that in malaria where these parameters were 50.89, 7.14 and 2.67%, respectively. Conversely, cases with anaemia, splenomegaly and jaundice were three times more in falciparum malaria. Acute renal failures and neurological sequelae were noticed in slightly higher number of dengue patients.   Conclusion: Thrombocytopenia and hepatic dysfunction were more common in dengue, while anaemia, splenomeg­aly, jaundice and convulsions were more frequent in falciparum malaria. Neurological sequelae and cases of acute renal failure were almost equal in both the infections. https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/view/879 https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/download/879/378

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Journal of Arthropod-Borne Diseases 2322-1984 12 2 2018 06 13 119 126 EN Fatemeh Yousefbeyk Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran Hassan Vatandoost Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Fereshteh Golfakhrabadi Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy and Persian Medicine and Pharmacy Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Zahra Mirzaee Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy and Persian Medicine and Pharmacy Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Mohammad Reza Abai Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Gholamreza Amin Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy and Persian Medicine and Pharmacy Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Mahnaz Khanavi Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy and Persian Medicine and Pharmacy Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran AND Faculty of Land and Food Systems University of British Columbia, British Columbia, Canada 2018 05 16 2018 05 16 Background: Scrophularia striata is a perennial plant which is native in all parts of Iran, Turkey, and Azerbaijan. In this study, the total phenol content, antioxidant and larvicidal activities of total extract and different fractions of this plant were evaluated. Methods: The aerial parts of S. striata were collected from Boli village, Illam Province, western Iran in Apr 2013. The total phenol content of total extract and different fractions were evaluated by Folin-Ciocalteu method. Moreover, antioxidant activity was tested by DPPH and FRAPS assays. Larvicidal activity was investigated according to stand­ard method described by WHO. Results: Ethyl acetate fraction (EF) had the highest content of total phenol (75.9±0.06mg Gallic acid equivalent/g dry extract). Furthermore, among the tested extract, methanol-water fraction (MWF), total methanol extract (TME) and water fraction (WF) showed the highest antioxidant activity in the DPPH assay (IC50= 226.8, 283.66 and 299.4 μg.ml-1, respectively). In FRAP assay MWF and WF and TME had the highest antioxidant activities (664.4±0.002, 565.3±0.003, 519.5±0.003mmol FeII/g dry extract, respectively). Ethyl acetate fraction had maximum larvicidal activity (LC50 49.1ppm) followed by TME (LC50 64.26ppm) and hexane fraction (HF) (LC50 89.69). Conclusion: Scrophularia striata collected from west of Iran illustrated considerable antioxidant and larvicidal ef­fects and further in vitro and in vivo experimental models for investigation would be required. https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/view/881 https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/download/881/379

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Journal of Arthropod-Borne Diseases 2322-1984 12 2 2018 06 13 127 134 EN Kourosh Arzamani Vector-borne Diseases Research Center, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran Zeinolabedin Mohammadi Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran Mohammad Reza Shirzadi Zoonoses Control Department, Ministry of Health, Tehran, Iran Seyed Mohammad Alavinia Vector-borne Diseases Research Center, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran Behruz Jafari Environmental Office of North Khorasan Province, Bojnurd, Iran Jamshid Darvish Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran AND Rodentology Research Department, Applied Animal Institute, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran 2018 05 19 2018 05 19 Background: Rodents are one of the most important hosts for some zoonotic diseases and also act as a reservoir of some ectoparasites and endoparasites. They cause damage to the farms and inflict public health. The aim of this study was to investigate the faunal composition of rodent in North Khorasan Province, Northeast of Iran. Methods: The sampling was carried out between 2011 to 2013. The specimens were collected using different methods including rodent death and live traps, digging of their burrow, and hand net from 75 different sample sites. Results: The total number of 396 specimens belonging to 22 species and six families were identified. The results illustrated the high numbers and densities of Meriones persicus (17.68%), Meriones libycus (15.15%), Nesokia indica (7.32%) and Rhombomys opimus (6.82%), as the most important reservoirs for different zoonotic diseases. Moreover, significant number of other rodent species including Mus musculus (15.66%), Apodemus witherbyi (13.89%), A. hyrcanicus (0.25%), Rattus norvegicus (1.01%), Meriones crassus (0.25%), Gerbillus nanus (0.51%), Microtus paradoxus (2.27%), M. transcaspicus (0.76%), Ellobius fuscocapillus (0.25%), Cricetulus migratorius (4.29%), Calomyscus elburzensis (4.29%), C. mystax (1.26%), Spermophilus fulvus (0.25%), Dryomys nitedula (3.54%), Allactaga elater (3.54%), Jaculus blanfordi (0.25%), Meriones zarudnyi (0.25%), M. meridianus (0.51%), and Hystrix indica as hosts for parasites and zoonotic diseases were identified. Conclusion: The high biodiversity including at least 22 species and six families of rodents were found in North Khorasan Province, some of them were medically important species. https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/view/883 https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/download/883/380

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Journal of Arthropod-Borne Diseases 2322-1984 12 2 2018 06 13 135 140 EN Ali Ramazani Zanjan Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Research Center, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran Mahdi Tavakolizadeh Zanjan Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Research Center, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran AND Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran Samira Ramazani Zanjan Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Research Center, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran Hamidreza Kheiri-Manjili Zanjan Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Research Center, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran Mehdi Eskandari Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran 2018 05 19 2018 05 19 Background: Development of resistance against the frontline anti-malarial drugs has created an alarming situation, which requires intensive drug discovery to develop new, more effective, affordable and accessible anti-malarial agents. The aim of this study was to assess antiplasmodial activity of the different fractions of root extract of Glycyr­rhiza glabra. Methods: Roots of G. glabra were collected from Tarom district of Zanjan Province in 2016 and then dried root ma­terial was chopped and consecutively extracted by the percolation method using solvents of different polarity. Result­ing extracts were assessed for in vitro and in vivo anti-malarial and cell cytotoxicity activities. Results: Among the three different solvent fractions studied, water-methanol and ethyl acetate fractions showed promising in vitro antiplasmodial activity against CQ-sensitive Plasmodium falciparum 3D7 strain (IC50= 9.95 and 13µg/ml, respectively). Further, the selectivity indices (HeLa cells versus P. falciparum) for the promising water-methanol fraction showed selectivity for P. falciparum and potential safer therapy for human. Interestingly, water-methanol and ethyl acetate fractions showed a significant suppression of parasite growth (72.2% and 65%, respec­tively) in comparison with control group in mice infected with P. berghei (P< 0.05). Conclusion: The promising antiplasmodial activity of the aqueous fraction of G. glabra obtained in our study war­rant bioassay-guided fractionation of this fraction to identify active principles responsible for antiplasmodial activity. https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/view/884 https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/download/884/381

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Journal of Arthropod-Borne Diseases 2322-1984 12 2 2018 06 13 141 151 EN Adedotun A Adenusi Medical Parasitology Unit, Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, Surulere, Lagos, Nigeria Mary I Akinyemi Statistics Unit, Department of Mathematics, University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos, Nigeria Dele Akinsanya Department of Zoology, University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos, Nigeria 2018 05 20 2018 05 20 Background: Domiciliary cockroaches are obnoxious pests of significant medical importance. We investigated the prevalence of human intestinal parasites in cockroaches and its attendant public health importance. Methods: Overall, 749 cockroaches (Periplaneta americana, 509, Blattella germanica, 240) caught by trapping from 120 households comprising 3 different housing types in Somolu, Lagos metropolis, southwest Nigeria, in 2015 were screened for human intestinal parasites using standard parasitological techniques. Results: The prevalence of human intestinal parasites in cockroaches was 96.4%. There was no statistically signifi­cant difference (P> 0.05) in parasite prevalences between P. americana (95.7%) and B. germanica (97.9%). Parasite species identified and their prevalence were as follows: Entamoeba histolytica/dispar (44.1%), E. coli (37.8%), Gi­ardia lamblia (18.7%), Cryptosporidium sp. (13.8%), Ascaris lumbricoides (61.3%), Trichuris trichiura (55.8%), hookworms (11.6%), Strongyloides stercoralis (11.7%), Taenia/Echinococcus spp. (10.5%), Enterobius vermicularis (17.2%) and Hymenolepis nana (11.6%). Parasite prevalence and burdens varied with housing type; the prevalence was significantly higher statistically (P< 0.05) in cockroaches from low-cost bungalow, LCB (100%) and low-cost, 2-storey, LC2-S (100%) houses towest species in terms of number. In the adult form, Cx. pipiens (28.9%) was predominant whereas, Cs. subochrea and Cx. perexiguus were reported to have had the lowest frequency. Conclusion: The larvae of An. superpictus and An. maculipennis species as the main vectors of malaria in north of Iran were reported in permanent habitats with clear water and vegetation, full and partial sunlight situations and muddy as well as sandy substrates that are important in larvicide application programs. Exclusive studies are neces­sary to diagnose An. maculipennis species complex using molecular and morphological analysis in the future. https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/view/516 https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/download/516/329

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Journal of Arthropod-Borne Diseases 2322-1984 11 2 2017 06 13 226 235 EN Shahid Iqbal Mohammed School of Life Sciences, North Maharashtra University, Jalgaon, India Kishor Sukhlal Vishwakarma School of Life Sciences, North Maharashtra University, Jalgaon, India Vijay Laxminarayan Maheshwari School of Life Sciences, North Maharashtra University, Jalgaon, India 2016 08 06 2016 08 06 Background: To study the chemical constituents and larvicidal activity of essential oil extracted from the leaves of Coccinia grandis against three mosquito species. Methods: Essential oil was extracted by hydro distillation using clevenger apparatus and was analyzed for chemical constituents by gas chromatography-mass spectrophotometry (GC-MS). Larvicidal activity was recorded after 12 and 24h of post-exposure against three mosquito species, Anopheles stephensi, Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefascia­tus. Dead larvae were identified when they failed to move after probing with a needle in the siphon or cervical re­gion. The LC50 and LC90 values for three mosquito larvae were calculated by Probit analysis. Results: The GC-MS analysis revealed that essential oil contains 23 different constituents. Out of these 23 constitu­ents, major constituents identified were n-tetracosane (39.18%), n-eicosane (30.04%), tetratriacotane (2.97%), 7-oc­tadecanal (2.81%), and tricosane (2.31%). Essential oil from leaves of Coccinia grandis exhibited significant larvi­cidal activity against An. stephensi with LC50 and LC90 values 39.41ppm and 123.24ppm, respectively. This was fol­lowed by Ae. aegypti and Cx. quinquefasciatus with LC50 and LC90 values of 48.20ppm, 131.84ppm and 52.80ppm, 135.48ppm, respectively after 24h of exposure. Conclusion: The results could be useful in developing a cost effective, ecofriendly, region specific and practical strategy for the control of mosquito vectors. https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/view/519 https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/download/519/330

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Journal of Arthropod-Borne Diseases 2322-1984 11 2 2017 06 13 236 241 EN Leila Nourani Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran Mansour Aliabadian Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran AND Research Department of Zoological Innovations, Institute of Applied Zoology, Faculty of Sciences, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran Navid Dinparast-Djadid Malaria and Vector Research Group (MVRG), Biotechnology Research Center (BRC), Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran Omid Mirshamsi Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran AND Research Department of Zoological Innovations, Institute of Applied Zoology, Faculty of Sciences, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran 2016 08 06 2016 08 06 Background: The intracellular protozoan parasites of the genus Haemoproteus occur in different avian hosts all over the world. Various genus of blood sucking insects’ families such as Hippoboscidae and Ceratopogonidae could transmit Haemoproteus in avian hosts. There are very limited number of studies on wild infected birds with blood parasites in Iran, so the aim of this study was to determine the frequency of Haemoproteus spp. infection in passerine birds from northwest of Iran. Methods: Passerines were collected from four different localities in Zanjan Province, northwest Iran during June to August 2014. Results: Of 86 passerines, we found Haemoproteus infection in 19 (22.09%) individuals. In general, 15 bird species were observed for haemosporidians, of which 53% were infected. Conclusion: Three species of passerines: Petronia petronia, Sitta tephronota and Acrocephalus melanopogon are new host records for Haemoproteus infection in the world. Results acquired by this study support widespread distri­bution of Haemoproteus in passerines and illustrated the prevalence of Haemoproteus species in wild birds of north­west of Iran. Conclusively, our study specified that more investigations are needed to reach exact prevalence rate in different families of birds in Iran. https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/view/520 https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/download/520/331

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Journal of Arthropod-Borne Diseases 2322-1984 11 2 2017 06 13 242 248 EN Narges Sharifinia Department of Public Health, School of Health, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran Iman Gowhari Department of Biology, Payam-e-Noor University, Ilam Branch, Ilam, Iran Manijeh Hoseiny-Rad Department of Biology, Farhangian University, Tehran, Iran Ali Ashraf Aivazi Department of Public Health, School of Health, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran 2016 08 22 2016 08 22 Background: Scorpions’ stings and their own mortalities place them among the most important health and medical problems. The dreadful features and especially their poisonous stings are considered a major cause of human stress and abhorrence/phobia. The current study aimed to study the scorpion fauna of Ilam Province, south western Iran in order to manage scorpionism related problems. Methods: In this field-laboratory investigation during March 2014 to February 2015, different parts of Ilam Province were surveyed. Nine sampling parts were selected based on geographical situation, scorpionism reports, weather, flora, and local data. Capturing scorpion was done employing a black light, and a long forceps from dusk to mid­night. The collected scorpions were placed to 70% ethyl alcohol. All specimens were determined based on the valid taxonomic keys, furthermore their sexes were studied. Results: Out of the 391 collected scorpions, 11 species were identified as follows: Hottentotta saulcyi, Mesobuthus eupeus, Compsobuthus matthiesseni, Razianus zarudnyi, Hemiscorpius lepturus, Androctonus crassicauda, Or­thochirus iranus, Odontobuthus bidentatus, Buthacus macrocentrus, Scorpio maurus, and Polisius persicus. Conclusion: Eleven species of Buthidae, Scorpionidae and Hemiscorpiidae families from high risk areas were iden­tified. Despite the low surface of the province, such different species reveals a diverse scorpion fauna that, in turn, shows good and suitable habits of scorpions, as considered by health staff. https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/view/531 https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/download/531/332

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Journal of Arthropod-Borne Diseases 2322-1984 11 2 2017 06 13 249 259 EN Hafsa Memona Department of Zoology, Lahore College for Women University, Lahore, Pakistan Farkhanda Manzoor Department of Zoology, Lahore College for Women University, Lahore, Pakistan Saffora Riaz Department of Zoology, Lahore College for Women University, Lahore, Pakistan 2016 10 26 2016 10 26 Background: Cockroaches are found as the most common urban pests of tropical countries, prompting economic and serious health risk problem for humans by carrying microbes and allergens, acting as vector for various patho­gens of diseases. The present study was conducted from April 2013 to March 2014 in various human dwelling local­ities of urban area of district Lahore, Pakistan. Methods: Cockroaches were collected randomly by hand, food baited and sticky traps throughout the year. Four species of cockroaches (Periplaneta Americana (P. amercana), Blattella germanica (B. germanica), Blatta orientalis (B. orientalis), and Blatta lateralis (B. lateralis) were collected and identified from the study site. Results: B. germanica was the most dominant indoor species with highest diversity indices in study areas. Overall cockroach species diversity was highest in July–September, 2013 with highest Simpson index of diversity and Shan­non index as well. P. americana was found second broadly distributed in the study area followed by B. orientalis and B. lateralis were intermediately distributed in residential areas and narrowly distributed in hospitals. Residential ar­eas and hospitals were highly infested with B. germanica followed by P. americana. Population index of B. ger­manica for hospitals was double than residential areas. B. lateralis was observed as displacing B. orientalis in out­door habitat through competing with its habitat and food sources. Conclusion: The infestation rate of different species depends on availability of food sources, sanitary conditions and climatic conditions. Cockroach infestation can be controlled with knowledge about their biology and behavior, at­tention to sanitation and effective use of commercial insecticides. https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/view/559 https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/download/559/334

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Journal of Arthropod-Borne Diseases 2322-1984 11 2 2017 06 13 260 277 EN Ashraf M Ahmed Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia AND Department of Zoology, College of Science, Minia University, El-Minia, Egypt Hamdy I Hussein Department of Plant Protection, College of Food and Agricultural Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Talat A El-Kersh Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Yazeed A Al-Sheikh Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Tahany H Ayaad Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Hanan A El-Sadawy Parasitology and Animal Diseases Department, Veterinary Div