Tehran University of Medical Sciences Journal of Arthropod-Borne Diseases 2322-1984 17 1 2023 07 29 1584 1584 Tahereh Sadat Asgarian Department of Vector Biology and Control of Diseases, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Hassan Vatandoost Department of Vector Biology and Control of Diseases, School of Public Health, Tehran Universi¬ty of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Ahmad Ali Hanafi-Bojd Department of Vector Biology and Control of Diseases, School of Public Health, Tehran Universi¬ty of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Fatemeh Nikpoor Department of Chemical Pollutants and Pesticides, Institute for Environmental Research, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 2022 09 19 2023 06 11 Background: Controlling of Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus, vectors of five important mosquito-borne diseases, is known as the most effective method to prevent the transmission of arboviruses to humans, but the emergence of insecti­cide resistance is threat for control and prevention of vector borne diseases. A better understanding of mosquito re­sistance to insecticides will help to develop more effective methods to control insecticide resistance in mosquito vectors. Methods: Worldwide geographical distribution of insecticide resistance in Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus by the availa­ble papers and map of the data for carbamates, organochlorines, organophosphates, pyrethroids, microbial and insect growth regulator insecticides were reviewed. Article data published up to December 2022 were investigated by search­ing the following databases: "Google Scholar", "PubMed", "Scopus", "SID" and "Web of Knowledge". Results: The results showed that the susceptibility and resistance status of Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus to insecticides in the world is very diverse. Conclusion: Due to the importance of Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus in the transmission of mosquito-borne arbovirus­es, resistance management should be given more attention worldwide to prevent insecticide resistance in the arbovirus vector and replace the new approach for vector control. https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/view/1584 https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/download/1584/613

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Journal of Arthropod-Borne Diseases 2322-1984 17 1 2023 07 29 1467 1467 Vahideh Moin-Vaziri Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Mehdi Badakhshan Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Public Health, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran 2021 07 11 2023 06 11 Background: The Covid-19 pandemic that caused by the infection with the novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has re­vealed individual and global vulnerabilities all over the world. Many countries that had been struggled with arthropod-borne diseases (VBDs) are now embroiled in another challenge caused by COVID-19 pandemic. The situation that pos­es major obstacles 1) by misdiagnosis 2) delay in early and appropriate treatment of VBDs 3) difficulties in applying regular strategy for vector control and prevention methods and finally 4) irregularity in financing supports. Given the possible scenario of syndemics, it is important to plan integrated and combined measurement with the maximum partic­ipation of the people and health authorities. Here, the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on some major arthropod-related diseases will be discussed. Methods: To access the collective data all related databases such as Science direct, PubMed, Elsevier, Google scholar, as well WHO web page were searched with key words “arthropoda-related diseases, COVID-19 with the name of each individual disease”. Results: The results showed that the management, control, and treatment of most important arthropod-related diseases could be delayed due to COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusion: Dealing with COVID-19, it is crucial to consider the other main killers such as malaria, dengue fever, etc. more especially in vulnerable populations by greater political, financial and global commitment. Continued surveillance will be essential to monitor for any possible changes. https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/view/1467 https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/download/1467/614

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Journal of Arthropod-Borne Diseases 2322-1984 17 1 2023 07 29 1585 1585 EN Fatima-Zahra Abou-Elaaz Geophysics, Natural Patrimony and Green Chemistry Research Centre (GEOPAC), Geo-Biodiversity and Natural Patrimony Laboratory (GEOBIOL), Scientific Institute, Mohammed V University in Rabat, Morocco Denis Sereno InterTryp, Parasite Infectiology and Public Health Research Group, MiVegec, IRD, Montpellier University, Montpellier, France Oumnia Himmi Geophysics, Natural Patrimony and Green Chemistry Research Centre (GEOPAC), Geo-Biodiversity and Natural Patrimony Laboratory (GEOBIOL), Scientific Institute, Mohammed V University in Rabat, Morocco Mohamed Ghamizi Water, Bidiversity and Climate Change Laboratory, FSSM, Museum of Natural History of Marrakesh, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakesh, Morocco Souad Guernaoui Biotechnology, Conservation and Valorisation of Natural Resources laboratory, Faculty of Sciences Dhar El Mahraz, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez, Morocco 2022 09 27 2023 03 19 Background: Phlebotomus sergenti, the proven vector of Leishmania tropica, the causative agent of anthroponotic cu­taneous leishmaniasis, is widely distributed in Morocco. Previous works using molecular markers (Internal Transcribed Spacer 2 rDNA and Cytochrome B mtDNA) hypothesized the existence of multiple closely related populations of sand fly species (cryptic species) that would exhibit distinct vectorial capacities. This work studies morphotypic diversity using traditional and geometric morphometry analyses carried out on Ph. sergenti's wings from central Morocco, where active L. tropica transmission occurs for 30 years. Methods: Descriptive characteristics (size and shape) of the right wings were measured in Ph. sergenti’s specimens collected from fourteen stations in central Morocco. Both traditional and geometric morphometry methods were used to analyse geographic variations in Ph. sergenti wing’s size and shape. Results: These analyses support the existence of distinct Ph. sergenti populations, enlightening significant phenotypic variations of Ph. sergenti’s wings, regarding their size and shape, depending on geographic origin. In addition, tradi­tional and geometric morphometric analyses of the wing’s length, centroid size, β, ɵ, and γ distances allowed clear dis­crimination of Ph. sergenti sub-populations. Conclusion: These data pinpoint the adaptative ability of Ph. sergenti to local environmental conditions. Additional studies are now required to further shed light on the genetic structure of Ph. sergenti populations in Morocco. https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/view/1585 https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/download/1585/615

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Journal of Arthropod-Borne Diseases 2322-1984 17 1 2023 07 29 1512 1512 Elena Shaikevich Vavilov Institute of General Genetics, Gubkin str. 3, 119333 Moscow, Russia Ludmila Karan Central Research Institute of Epidemiology, Novogireevskaya str., 3a, 111123 Moscow, Russia Marina Fedorova Vavilov Institute of General Genetics, Gubkin str. 3, 119333 Moscow, Russia 2021 11 23 2023 06 11 Background: Aedes (Stegomyia) albopictus was found for the first time in 2011 on the Black Sea coast in Russia, and dur­ing 2011–2019, the species expanded over two climate zones Cfa and Csa. Methods: Here, we studied the sequence diversity of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) gene, 1317–1433bp in length. In total, 131 specimens of Ae. albopictus sampled from 21 locations in Russia and Abkhazia were examined. Results: Two of the six identified mitochondrial haplotypes were detected for the first time. Four COI haplotypes were shared by at least two studied local populations. The most prevalent H1 and H2 haplotypes dominated in all the sampled localities in the Cfa zone. The H3 haplotype was prevalent in the Csa zone. Other haplotypes were rare. Phylogenetic analyses, spatial isolation and limited gene flow revealed that the samples from the Csa zone differed significantly from those from the Cfa zone. https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/view/1512 https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/download/1512/616

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Journal of Arthropod-Borne Diseases 2322-1984 17 1 2023 07 30 1520 1520 EN Behroz Davari Department of Medical Entomology, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran Ali Ezat Hassanvand Department of Medical Entomology, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran Aref Salehzadeh Department of Medical Entomology, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran Mohammad Yousef Alikhani Infectious Disease Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Science, Hamadan, Iran Seyed Mostafa Hosseini Infectious Disease Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Science, Hamadan, Iran, Department of Microbiology, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran 2021 12 18 2023 06 11 Background: Cockroaches are one of the most important carriers of pathogenic microorganisms. Therefore, the pres­ence of cockroaches in public places, especially in hospitals, homes, and restaurants, is dangerous, and threatens the health of society, people, and the environment. The aim of this study was evaluation of bacterial contamination of cock­roaches and the sensitivity of these bacteria to various antibiotics, captured from Khorramabad City, Iran Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was performed on 150 cockroaches collected from hospital environ­ments, homes, and restaurants in Khorramabad. The outer surface of the cockroaches was washed with physiological sa­line. The suspension was centrifuged for 5 minutes at 2000rpm. Isolation and identification of bacteria was performed using phenotypic methods. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed by disk diffusion method according to Clini­cal and Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI) guideline. Results: A total of 100 American cockroaches (66.66%), 28 B. germanica (18.66%) and 22 Blatta orientalis (14.66%) were identified. In total, 97.33% of the collected cockroaches were infected with bacteria. The most bacterial infection of the cockroaches was Escherichia coli, coagulase-negative Staphylococci and Bacillus respectively. The overall re­sults of the antibiogram test showed that the identified bacteria were resistant to cephalothin, ampicillin, cefotaxime, and kanamycin antibiotics, semi-sensitive to ciprofloxacin and sensitive to tetracycline, gentamicin, nitrofurantoin, Tri­methoprim/sulfamethoxazole, and Chloramphenicol. Conclusion: Infection of cockroaches with pathogenic bacterial agents in hospital, residential, and restaurant environ­ments, as well as the observation of bacterial resistance to some common antibiotics is worrying. https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/view/1520 https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/download/1520/617

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Journal of Arthropod-Borne Diseases 2322-1984 17 1 2023 07 30 1559 1559 Awat Dehghan Department of Vector Biology and Control of Diseases, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Seyed Hassan Moosa Kazemi Department of Vector Biology and Control of Diseases, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Mohammad Mehdi Sedaghat Department of Vector Biology and Control of Diseases, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Hassan Vatandoost Department of Vector Biology and Control of Diseases, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, Department of Environmental Chemical Pollutants and Pesticides, Institute for Environmental Research, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Ahmad Ali Hanafi-Bojd Department of Vector Biology and Control of Diseases, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, Zoonoses Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 2022 04 27 2023 06 11 Background: Anopheles stephensi is a major vector of malaria in some parts of the world. A standard method for de­termining resistance in adult mosquito populations is the bioassay test recommended by the world health organization (WHO). The papers used in this method have an expiry date. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of outdat­ed susceptibility test papers for use in insecticide resistance monitoring programs. Methods: Beech and Bandar Abbas strains of An. stephensi were reared in the insectary. Permethrin 0.75%, Deltame­thrin 0.05%, and Bendiocarb 0.1% impregnated test papers prepared by Universiti Sains Malaysia were used. Probit analysis was used to analyze the results and prepare time-mortality regression lines of LT50 and LT90. Results: There was a difference in the mortality of both tested strains of An. stephensi was exposed to all tested insecti­cides. Both expired and not expired Permethrin and Deltamethrin papers induced 100% mortality at the diagnostic time (60min), but their insecticidal properties were reduced gradually in serial times. The highest efficacy of test papers was in the first trimester after the expiry date and decreased over time. Conclusion: At the diagnostic time of 60 minutes, the mortality rate of both dated and expired papers was 100% in the pyrethroid insecticides, even three years after expiry dates, if stored in the package provided by the producer, in a re­frigerator. This value was reduced to less than 100% in the expired papers of Bendiocarb comparing the dated papers that induced 100% mortality. https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/view/1559 https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/download/1559/618

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Journal of Arthropod-Borne Diseases 2322-1984 17 1 2023 07 30 1588 1588 Atefeh Khan-Ahmadi 1Department of Biology and Vector Control of Diseases, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Hassan Vatandoost Department of Biology and Vector Control of Diseases, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, Department of Chemical Pollutants and Pesticides, Institute for Environmental Research, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 1546 1546 Seyed hassan nikookar Health Sciences Research Center, Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, Faculty of Public Health, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran Ali Jafari General Administration of Prisons, Sari, Iran Mahmoud Fazeli-Dinan Health Sciences Research Center, Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, Faculty of Public Health, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran Razieh Shabani-Kordshouli Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, Faculty of Public Health, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran Jamshid Yazdani-Charati Department of Biostatistics, Health Sciences Research Center, Faculty of Public Health, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran Nasir Talebi-Hajikolaee General Administration of Prisons, Sari, Iran ahmadali Enayati Head of Medical Entomology Department, School of Public Health, Health Sciences Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran 2022 02 19 2023 06 18 Background: Bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) are blood-sucking insects that bite humans usually at night and cause nui­sance, psychological and social problems. These insects are considered a health hazard in densely populated places such as prisons. The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge, attitude and practice of inmates, soldiers, and prison staff regarding bed bugs in Mazandaran prisons. Methods: This is a descriptive-analytical study in which 450 inmates and 210 staff (105 personnel and 105 soldiers) from prisons of Mazandaran Province were included in the study. Data on knowledge, attitude, and practice of the par­ticipants regarding bed bugs were collected using a structured questionnaire. To determine the relative content validity coefficient, the questionnaire was assessed by 10 specialists in terms of difficulty, inappropriateness, and ambiguity of the phrases. The reliability of the questionnaire was measured using Cronbach's Alpha and then the data were analyzed using SPSS software version 20. Results: The maximum mean scores of knowledges, attitude, and practice between the three target groups were 16.42%, 44.07% and 71.21% respectively. Prison staff had the highest knowledge and practice, and inmates showed the highest attitude regarding bed bugs. There was no significant difference between the knowledge and attitude of inmates, prison staff and soldiers (P> 0.05) but there was a significant difference in their practice (P< 0.05). Conclusion: Results of this study confirmed that all three groups of people in the prisons need appropriate education regarding all aspects of bed bug including its control. https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/view/1546 https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/download/1546/624

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Journal of Arthropod-Borne Diseases 2322-1984 17 2 2023 09 13 1557 1557 EN Suman Mohanty Division of Vector Biology, National Institute for Implementation Research on Non-Communicable Diseases (Formerly Desert Medicine Research Centre), Indian Council of Medical Research, New Pali Road, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India Phool Kanojia Division of Vector Biology, National Institute for Implementation Research on Non-Communicable Diseases (Formerly Desert Medicine Research Centre), Indian Council of Medical Research, New Pali Road, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India 2022 04 11 2023 08 07 Background: Malaria is the most important tropical and parasitic disease in the world. Endophagy of many malaria vectors­­­­­­­­­­­ advocates that impeding their entry into houses and preventing their contact with the occupants from infective bites could protect them against malaria. Methods: The study was carried out in Jaisalmer District, India and three villages were selected as test villages and three as control. Cross-sectional malaria prevalence surveys and mosquito collections were conducted in all the study villages. Insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) were tied below the beds for personal protection against the mosquito bite. Door and window curtains along with partition curtains were treated with insecticide for baring the entry of mosquito vectors. Results: Plasmodium vivax and P. falciparum were reported from the study villages. Higher malaria cases were detect­ed in the control villages than the insecticide-treated bed net-distributed villages. The percentages of reduction of mos­quito density in the houses of the ITNs distributed villages were significantly higher than the control villages. The insec­ticide activity was decreased slowly, and the knockdown time (KD50) values were found to be increased with the dura­tion of usage of net. The KD50 of Anopheles subpictus s.l. was found to be more than the An. stephensi. Rooms where the ITNs were found to be significantly lower per man-hour density of mosquitoes. Conclusion: The use of alternative forms of ITNs shows a potential for preventing malaria and are making a significant contribution