Tehran University of Medical Sciences Journal of Arthropod-Borne Diseases 2322-1984 16 3 2023 02 26 1567 1567 EN Mehdi Khoobdel Health Research Center, Lifestyle Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Shahyad Azari-Hamidian Research Center of Health and Environment, School of Health, Guilan University of Medical Scienc-es, Rasht, Iran, Department of Medical Parasitology, Mycology and Entomology, School of Medicine, Guilan Univer-sity of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran Ahmad Ali Hanafi-Bojd Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, Zoonoses Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Hasan Bakhshi Vector-borne Diseases Research Center, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran Amirsajad Jafari Department of Basic Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran Mohammad Moradi Health Research Center, Lifestyle Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 2022 07 02 2023 02 21 Background: Scabies is referred to the infestation of skin by an ectoparasite, Sarcoptes scabiei. Having considerable financial consequences, this disease is a public health concern in several countries. In this review, we aimed to deter­mine the current status of scabies in different provinces of Iran. Methods: Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, Scientific Information Database (SID), Sci-explore, Civil­ica, Magiran, Iranian Research Institute for Information Science and Technology and Elmnet databases were searched to find the related data in the time period within 2000–2022. To have a better insight into the status of prevalence of sca­bies in Iran, a meta-analysis and meta-regression was performed. Results: A total of 943 relevant studies were retrieved from the databases, and 62 eligible studies met all the needed criteria for inclusion in this systematic review. Scabies was investigated and reported in at least 22 and 21 provinces of Iran respectively. Most of the studies were conducted in Tehran, Razavi Khorasan, Hormozgan, Fars and Guilan Prov­inces. Positive samples of scabies belonged to humans, sheep, goats, dogs, rabbits, mice and gazelles. Meta-analysis showed that the overall estimated presence of scabies in Iran during 2000–2022 was 7% (95% CI 4.7–10.3%, P< 0.001). Conclusion: Infestations due to S. scabiei in Iran occur in different geographical locations and different climates. As a neglected tropical disease, the literature about the burden of scabies in Iran is inadequate. The present review highlights the importance of development of comprehensive strategies for the diagnosis and control of scabies, especial­ly the provinces with high infestation rates. https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/view/1567 https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/download/1567/597

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Journal of Arthropod-Borne Diseases 2322-1984 16 3 2023 02 15 1529 1529 Amrollah Azarm Department of Medical Parasitology and Entomology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran Abdolhossin Dalimi Department of Medical Parasitology and Entomology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran Majied Pirestani Department of Medical Parasitology and Entomology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran Anita Mohammadiha Department of Medical Parasitology and Entomology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran Alireza Zahraei-Ramazani Department of Biology and Vector Control of Diseases, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Narges Marvi-Moghaddam Department of Biology and Vector Control of Diseases, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Esmaiel Amiri Department of Biology and Vector Control of Diseases, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 2022 01 02 2023 02 22 Background: The painful bite of Pulex irritans; causes wound on the host body and is a vector for Bartonella bacteria species, which can cause trench fever, Rickettsia species, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Mediterranean spotted fe­ver. We conducted a study to find out the hosts, abundance, as well as the molecular characteristics of this flea species in Meshkin-Shahr county, Ardabil province, northwest of Iran. Methods: After collecting fleas from different reservoir hosts and transferring them to the laboratory, identification was done using different morphological characters as well as the internal transcribed spacer1 (ITS1) molecular marker. Results: This morphological study indicated that from the 1053 fleas, which were collected from 162 different animals, including cats and dogs, 74 specimens belonged to human flea, Pulex irritans. In addition, in molecular analysis showed a high sequence similarity (99.5%) with the P. irritans counterparts from Spain country and Zanjan of Iran available in GenBank. Conclusion: Pulex irritans species is an obligatory hematophagous ectoparasite of human and animals. Therefore, con­sidering the relatively high frequency of this species on the body of cats and dogs, it is suggested to conduct more stud­ies on its distribution and the possibility of being a vector of pathogens among these animals and human. The results of these studies will be used to compile and review the control programs of this vector. https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/view/1529 https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/download/1529/598

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Journal of Arthropod-Borne Diseases 2322-1984 16 3 2023 02 12 1536 1536 EN Shahyad Azari-Hamidian Professor of Medical Entomology and Vector Control School of Health Research Center of Health and Environment Guilan University of Medical Sciences Seyed-Mohammad Omrani Department of Medical Parasitology, School of Medicine, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran 2022 01 28 2022 12 26 Background: Culex theileri (Diptera: Culicidae) is a known vector of pathogens that cause dirofilariasis, Sindbis fever and West Nile fever in Iran. The species is one of the country’s most abundant and widely distributed species. Methods: In order to conduct a faunistic and bionomic study of mosquitoes, larval collection was carried out in Chahar Mahal and Bakhtiari Province of western Iran using dipping method. Results: In total, some 2096 larvae of Cx. theileri were identified. Among the larvae, 1024 (48.9%) displayed aberra­tions and anomalies in the development of cranial seta 1-C (preclypeal seta). Morphological aberrations and anomalies of seta 1-C in the third- and fourth-instar larvae and abdominal terga of the adults of Cx. theileri collected in Iran are discussed and illustrated. Conclusion: More studies are needed throughout the distribution of Cx. theileri to analyze the variation of the species, especially using both morphological and molecular data. https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/view/1536 https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/download/1536/599

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Journal of Arthropod-Borne Diseases 2322-1984 16 3 2023 02 26 1319 1319 Sajjad Ghodrati Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Behnaz Akhoundi Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Mehdi Mohebali Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, Center for Research of Endemic Parasites of Iran (CREPI), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Mohammad Zeinali Zoonoses Control Unit, Center of Diseases Control, Ministry of Health and Medical Education (MOHME), Tehran, Iran Homa Hajjaran Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Zahra Kakooei Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 2020 07 06 2023 02 22 Background: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) also known as Kala-azar is considered as one of the zoonotic infections in Mediterranean countries. The reservoir of this infection is dogs and sand flies are considered as its vectors. Due to reported sporadic cases of Kala-azar in the past five years in Shahroud County, Semnan Province, Iran, this study aimed to investigate the status of this infection in this area and to determine its seroepidemiology to take required measurements for infection control and treatment. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 504 subjects residing in seven villages in Shahroud County, Semnan, Iran. Samples were randomly selected using the cluster sampling method and blood samples were collected from subjects aged up to 13 years old (90%) and adults over 13 years old (10%) from September 2018 to May 2019. After separating sera from whole blood, samples were subjected to direct agglutination test (DAT) to detect anti-Leishmania infantum antibodies. First dilutions were prepared from 1:10 to 1:800 for human samples. Results: Results of serological testing with 1:800 titration indicated that no sample was positive for antibody against Leishmania infantum. After secondary screening, 10 cases (1.98%) showed the antibody titer of 1:100, while four cases (0.79%) showed the antibody titer of 1:400. According to clinical findings, no patient was suffering from fever, weight loss, splenomegaly, hepatomegaly, and cachexia and therefore did not show the symptoms of Kala-azar. Conclusion: The results of the current study indicate that Kala-azar is not prevalent in Shahroud County. https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/view/1319 https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/download/1319/602

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Journal of Arthropod-Borne Diseases 2322-1984 16 3 2023 02 12 1475 1475 Zakkyeh Telmadarraiy Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, Rahyan Novin Danesh (RND) Private University, Sari, Mazandaran, Iran Habibollah Kooshki Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Hamideh Edalat Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Hassan Vatandoost Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Hassan Bakhshi Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Faezeh Faghihi Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Asadollah Hosseini-Chegeni Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran Mohammad Oshaghi Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 2021 08 05 2023 02 05 Background: Ticks are blood-sucking ectoparasites of many vertebrates and act as vectors of a wide range of vector-borne diseases. Alongside pathogens transmission, ticks also cause economic losses in animal industry such as produc­tion loss, physical damage, anemia, and poisoning. This study aimed to determine the fauna, geographical distribution and seasonal activity of ticks collected from animals in Lorestan Province, west of Iran. Methods: Ticks were collected from domestic animals including cattle, sheep, goats, chickens, turkeys, pigeons, as well as wild animals such as jackals in 2017–2018. Then, they were identified based on morphological characteristics using valid identification keys. Results: Out of a total of 706 ticks, 433 (61.33%), 104 (14.73%), 33 (4.67%) and 136 (19.26%) ticks were collected in spring, summer, autumn and winter, respectively. In terms of hard ticks, 4 genera and 6 species were identified: Hy­alomma asiaticum (22.80%), Hyalomma anatolicum (3.68%), Hyalomma marginatum (2.40%), Rhipicephalus san­guineus (0.84%), Dermacentor marginatus (1.13%), and Haemaphysalis sulcata (0.64%). Additionally, two genera and four species fell into soft ticks: Argas persicus (60.48%), Argas reflexus (6.65%), Ornithodoros canstrini (0.70%) and Ornithodoros erraticus (0.42%). There was significant variation in the seasonal activity and abundance of ticks in dif­ferent seasons but in the tick abundancy among different regions. Conclusions: The present study provides a perspective of the distribution status of ticks in Lorestan Province, their sea­sonal activity and the likelihood of emergence of related diseases. https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/view/1475 https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/download/1475/601

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Journal of Arthropod-Borne Diseases 2322-1984 16 3 2023 02 26 1361 1361 Sadegh Mohammadi–Azni Damghan Health Center, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran Mohsen Kalantari Research Center for Health Sciences, Institute of Health, Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran Behrad Pourmohammadi Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran, Department of Health Education and Promotion, School of Health, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran 2020 10 08 2023 02 26 Background: Due to the outbreak of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL), a disease caused by Leishmania major and mainly transmitted by Phlebotomus papatasi, in Damghan City, Semnan Province, the probable vectors of the disease were investigated in the city from 20 March 2016 to 20 January 2018. Methods: Sand flies were collected from indoors and outdoors biweekly by sticky traps in different parts of the city. The trapped sand flies were stored in 70% ethanol. They were identified and checked for Leishmania infections using nested-PCR method and specific primers; CSB1XR, CSB2XF, LiR, and 13Z.  Results: Overall, 1862 phlebotomine sal applications in biomedical field, some physicochemical and anti-bacterial properties, and the level of chitosan from three species of American cockroach, Periplaneta americana (Dictyoptera: Blattidae), the German cockroach, Blattella germanica (Dictyoptera: Ectobiidae) and the Mealworm beetle, Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) were investigated. Methods: The cuticle of adults derived from specimens was dried and grounded. The powders were demineralized as well as deproteinized after deacetylation via NaOH. At last, the chitosan yields from insects were studied for anti-bacterial activity on Gram-positive bacteria (Proteus mirabilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae), and Gram-negative bacteria (Enterococcus faecalis and Staphylococcus epidermidis). The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to analyze the chitosan composition. Results: The chitosan ratios of the American and German cockroaches and the mealworm beetle were 5.80, 2.95, and 1.70% per 3 g of the dried bodies respectively. The chitin DD’s for the American cockroach, the German cockroach and the mealworm beetle were 36.8%, 31.5% and 27.3%, respectively. The bactericidal activity of chitosan obtained from the American cockroach at a concentration of 1% had the greatest effect on P. mirabilis compared to other concentrations, while chitosan obtained from the German cockroach at a concentration of 0.01% had the greatest effect on K. pneumoniae compared to other concentrations. Conclusion: According to the results, the anti-bacterial influence of the chitosan is based upon the insect species and chitosan concentration. Probably, the variation relates to the changes in the chitin structure among the three insect species. https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/view/1509 https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/download/1509/610

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Journal of Arthropod-Borne Diseases 2322-1984 16 4 2023 02 27 1565 1565 Samira Firooziyan PhD student Mohammad Mehdi Sedaghat Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Maryam Sabouri Department of Health Education and Promotion, School of Public Health, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Azar Tol Department of Health Education and Promotion, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Roya Sadeghi Department of Health Education and Promotion, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Ehsan Rikhtrgar Urmia Deputy for Health Affairs, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran Behrouz Fathi Assistant professor, Health economics and management department, Public health school, Urmia, Iran 2022 06 16 2023 01 16 Background: Dengue fever as a mosquito-borne disease, has rapidly spread due to climate change, globalization, and human behavior. Iran is prone to dengue fever, as its vector recently has been found in the country. This study aimed to assess predictors of dengue preventive practices based on Precaution Adoption Process Model (PAPM) factors in West Azerbaijan province, northwest of Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional study conducted on 405 health professionals of communicable disease sector who were interested in study participation. Data-gathering instrument was an online researcher-made questionnaire consisting of demographic characteristics (11 items), questions based on PAPM, and dengue preventive practices (85 items). Content validity and reliability of the instrument, content validity ratio, content validity index, and Cronbach α were utilized, respectively. Descriptive, analytical, and regression analysis using SPSS and STATA were examined.      Results: Regression analysis revealed that awareness of appropriate actions for dengue prevention was a stronger pre­dictor of preventive practice in borderline and appropriate categories (β= 4.09, p< 0.001) and (β= 4.42, p< 0.001), re­spectively. Among factors of PAPM, beliefs about precaution effectiveness and difficulty in borderline (β= 1.04, p= 0.04) and appropriate (β= 1.12, p= 0.03) groups had direct and significant relation with dengue preventive practice. Conclusion: The highest mean score of beliefs about hazard likelihood and severity factor was related to dengue pre­vention. Therefore, theory-based interventions that address beliefs about precaution effectiveness and difficulty can lead to assistance in acting. To improve dengue preventive practices, a well-designed promotive intervention that addresses associated factors in a context-specific manner is essential. https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/view/1565 https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/download/1565/611

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Journal of Arthropod-Borne Diseases 2322-1984 16 4 2023 02 27 1538 1538 Farid Sharifi Zoonoses Research Center, Research Institute for Health Development, Kurdistan University of Medical sciences, Sanandaj, Iran Omid Banafshi Zoonoses Research Center, Research Institute for Health Development, Kurdistan University of Medical sciences, Sanandaj, Iran Ali Rasouli Zoonoses Research Center, Research Institute for Health Development, Kurdistan University of Medical sciences, Sanandaj, Iran Shadi Ghoreishi Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Research Institute for Health Development, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran Samrand Saeedi Zoonoses Research Center, Research Institute for Health Development, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran Mahmood Khalesi Zoonoses Research Center, Research Institute for Health Development, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran Afshar Rezai Zoonoses Research Center, Research Institute for Health Development, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran Eslam Moradi Asl Department of Public Health, School of Health, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran Bushra Zareie Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran Nasrollah Veis