Tehran University of Medical Sciences Journal of Arthropod-Borne Diseases 2322-1984 0 0 2026 09 30 1882 1882 Maryam Hatamibardar Student Research Committee, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran Mahdi Sepidarkish Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran Yasaman Dini Student Research Committee, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran Fatemeh Ramezani Student Research Committee, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran Sina Nasrollahian Department of Bacteriology and Virology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran Mehrdad Halaji Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran Mohsen Karami Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran 2025 10 20 2026 09 19 Background: Cockroaches are mechanical vectors of Escherichia coli, a key indicator of fecal contamination and anti­microbial resistance. Their presence in hospitals and households poses risks of healthcare‑associated and communi­ty‑acquired infections. However, no global quantitative prevalence estimate of E. coli in cockroaches is available. We systematically reviewed and meta-analyzed observational studies to estimate pooled global prevalence of E. coli in cockroaches and explore heterogeneity by site, species, and region. Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Embase for observational studies report­ing E. coli prevalence in cockroaches (last search: January, 2026), without geographical or time restrictions. Pooled prevalence was estimated using a DerSimonian–Laird random‑effects model with Freeman‑Tukey double arcsine trans­formation. Subgroup analyses were predefined by sampling site, cockroach species and country. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I² statistic. The protocol was not registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO). Results: The pooled global prevalence of E. coli colonization was 22.6%. In subgroup analyses, the highest and lowest prevalence of E. coli colonization were found in studies with external surface sampling (26.5%) and internal parts sam­pling (16.8%), respectively. The pooled prevalence of E. coli colonization in studies with American and German cock­roaches was 28.4% and 18.2 %, respectively. A significant difference was observed between these subsets of studies. Conclusions: This meta‑analysis reveals a substantial prevalence of E. coli contamination in cockroaches, particularly on external surfaces, in Periplaneta americana and in hospital/household settings. Further research is needed to develop targeted interventions for reducing associated public health risks. https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/view/1882 https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/download/1882/745 https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/download/1882/746

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Journal of Arthropod-Borne Diseases 2322-1984 0 0 2026 09 02 1951 1951 Amal Hayati Ahmad Zaki Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Zi Yan Chiew Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Fei Wen Cheong Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Yee Ling Lau Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 2026 05 19 2026 08 15 Background: Malaria, caused by Plasmodium parasites, is transmitted to humans through the bites of infected Anophe­les mosquitoes. Laboratory-reared Anopheles mosquitoes play a crucial role in advancing research aimed at eliminating malaria transmission, particularly zoonotic malaria caused by Plasmodium knowlesi in Malaysia. Anopheles cracens, an incriminated vector for P. knowlesi, remains relatively underexplored in laboratory-based vector research and still lacks a clearly defined optimal starvation duration for its blood feeding. This study assessed the length of starvation duration against the female mosquito feeding rate, in order to determine the optimal starvation duration. Methods: The mosquitoes were subjected to various starvation durations (6, 8, 10, 12, 14 and 16 hours) before blood feeding. All other key parameters were kept constant. For each starvation duration, 25 female An. cracens mosquitoes were exposed to the blood meal, and the experiment was repeated a total of three times (n= 75 for each starvation dura­tion). Results: The results showed a positive association between starvation duration and feeding rate, with longer starvation durations leading to higher feeding rates. The 16-hour starvation group achieved the highest feeding rate at 68% (68–72%). However, no statistically significant differences were observed among the groups due to high variability in the data. Conclusion: In conclusion, a positive trend between starvation duration and feeding success was observed. Further studies with larger sample sizes and controlled physiological states will enable more precise determination of the opti­mal starvation threshold and its influence on P. knowlesi infection rates under laboratory conditions. https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/view/1951 https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/download/1951/739

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Journal of Arthropod-Borne Diseases 2322-1984 0 0 2026 09 08 1991 1991 Alireza Khorashad Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Research Institute of Cellular and Molecular Science in Infectious Diseases, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran Ehsan Salarkia Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran Seyed Mohammad Mousavi Research Center for Hydatid Disease in Iran, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran Abbas Adimi Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Research Institute of Cellular and Molecular Science in Infectious Diseases, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran Hadi Mirahmadi Clinical Immunology Research Center, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran Ahmad Mehravaran Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Research Institute of Cellular and Molecular Science in Infectious Diseases, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran 2026 08 05 2026 08 31 Background: Leishmaniasis remains a major public health concern due to treatment toxicity, prolonged regimens and emerging drug resistance. Green-synthesized metal oxide nanoparticles are promising candidates for alternative an­tileishmanial therapies. This study synthesized copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) using hydroalcoholic Calotropis procera leaf extract and evaluated their in vitro activity against Leishmania tropica. Methods: CuO NPs were synthesized using C. procera extract as a biological reducing and stabilizing agent and char­acterized by dynamic light scattering, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectros­copy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The antileishmanial activity of C. procera extract (CPE), CuO NPs, meglumine antimoniate (MA) and their combinations was assessed against promastigotes and intracellular amastigotes. Cytotoxicity was evaluated in THP-1-derived macrophages and selectivity indices (SI) were calculated. Apoptosis-related markers and oxidative stress parameters were also assessed. Results: CuO NPs had a mean hydrodynamic diameter of 185.26±19 nm and a zeta potential of −15.93±2.6 mV. The CuO NPs+MA combination showed the strongest activity against amastigotes (IC₅₀= 52.19 µg/mL) and promastigotes (IC₅₀= 281.63 µg/mL), with a CC₅₀ of 603.1 µg/mL and the highest SI (11.56). Treatment increased Bax, caspase-3, caspase-8 and ROS levels while reducing Bcl-2, SOD and CAT. Conclusion: Green-synthesized CuO NPs, particularly in combination with MA, demonstrated promising antileishma­nial activity and selectivity against L. tropica. These findings support further evaluation in vivo. https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/view/1991 https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/download/1991/740

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Journal of Arthropod-Borne Diseases 2322-1984 0 0 2026 09 09 1955 1955 Farnaz Abdali-Dehdezi Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran Shahram Jamshidi Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran Amir Rostami Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran Parviz Shayan Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran Hesameddin Akbarein Department of Food Hygiene and Quality Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran Iradj Ashrafi Tamai Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran Nima Neyestani Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran Kamyar Madani Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran Ahoora Sheikhi Department of Food Hygiene and Quality Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran Niloorfar Zarifian Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran 2026 05 31 2026 08 11 Background: Canine tick-borne diseases from Ehrlichia and Anaplasma pose rising veterinary and zoonotic risks. In Iran, data on their prevalence in dogs and ticks are scarce. This cross-sectional study examined molecular rates, phylo­genetic traits, and blood disorders in high-exposure dogs, aiming to clarify infection patterns and health consequences in this understudied region. Methods: Blood samples and ticks were collected from 138 dogs in Tehran City, divided into 3 groups (tick-infested indoors, tick-infested outdoors and thrombocytopenics without ticks) and used for hematological/biochemical profiling, molecular detection and phylogenetic analysis targeting the 16S rRNA gene. Results: The study found molecular prevalence of Ehrlichia canis and Anaplasma platys at 21.7% and 11.6%, with out­door dogs highest; indoor dogs had no A. platys. Infection rates peaked in 1–3-year-old dogs. Rhipicephalus sanguineus was the sole tick collected. Thrombocytopenia signaled TBD exposure, prompting molecular screening. Phylogenetic 16S rRNA analysis confirmed genus identity and placed samples within global clusters, yet revealed no region-specific lineages due to gene conservation. Ehrlichiosis showed lower hematocrit, hemoglobin, neutrophils, and monocytes, with higher leukocytes and lymphocytes versus anaplasmosis; thrombocytopenia was prominent in both. Elevated Alanine transaminase, Aspartate Aminotransferase and globulin, and reduced albumin, were more prominent in Ehrlichiosis. Conclusion: These findings confirm active circulation of E. canis and A. platys in Tehran's canine population, with out­door exposure as a key risk factor, and demonstrate that E. canis induces more pronounced clinicopathological abnor­malities than A. platys. https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/view/1955 https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/download/1955/741

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Journal of Arthropod-Borne Diseases 2322-1984 0 0 2026 09 19 1933 1933 Hamid Kassiri Department of Vector Biology and Control of Diseases, School of Health, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran Arian Kasiri Student Research Committee, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran Masoud Lotfi Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Health, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran Mohammad Armin kasiri School of Medicine, Tehran Islamic Azad University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 2026 03 05 2026 09 11 Background: Phlebotomine sand fly taxonomy has been widely studied, often due to their role as vectors of various pathogens, including arboviruses, Leishmania spp. and Bartonella spp., which cause infections in both animals and hu­mans. The objective of this research was to determine the morphological characteristics of various populations of Phleboto­mus halepensis, Ph. kabulensis and Ph. salangensis collected in the southeastern region of Iran, using mor­pho­metric analysis of male sand fly features. Methods:  Specimens were captured by sticky paper traps and preserved in 70% ethanol. They were mounted in Puri’s medium on microscope slides. The sand flies were identified by examining them under a light microscope following valid morphological keys. The morphometric analysis of the specimens was done using a microscope aided by a mi­crometer. All measurements were recorded in millimeters (mm). Photographs and drawings of identifying characteris­tics of male specimens were taken. Results: A total of 87 phlebotomine sand flies belonging to the subgenus Adlerius were caught in four counties of Sis­tan and Baluchistan Province, Iran. We report the presence of Adlerius in the counties: Iranshahr (Ph. kabulensis), Khash (Ph. halepensis, Ph. kabulensis and Ph. salangensis), Nikshahr (Ph. halepensis and Ph. kabulensis) and Zahedan (Ph. halepen­sis, Ph. kabulensis and Ph. salangensis). The morphometric characteristics of Ph. halepensis, Ph. kabulen­sis and Ph. sa­langensis are listed in detail in this article. Conclusion: More intensive investigations are required to find sand fly infections, their relative abundance and distribu­tion; moreover, subsequent DNA molecular comparisons are needed to control them in Iran. https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/view/1933 https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/download/1933/744

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Journal of Arthropod-Borne Diseases 2322-1984 0 0 2026 10 06 1974 1974 Deepanker Das ICMR-National Institute for Research in Environmental Health, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India, School of Biosciences, Engineering and Technology, VIT Bhopal University, Madhya Pradesh, Indionth>02 04 1663 1663 EN Masoumeh Pirmohammadi Department of Vector Biology and Control of Diseases, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Reza Talaei-Hassanloui Department of Plant Protection, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj 31587-77871, Iran Seyed Hassan Moosa-Kazemi Department of Vector Biology and Control of Diseases, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Yavar Rassi Department of Vector Biology and Control of Diseases, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Sara Rahimi Medicinal Plants Research Center, Maragheh University of Medical Sciences, Maragheh, Iran Mahboubeh Fatemi Department of Vector Biology and Control of Diseases, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Marzieh Ghassemi Department of Vector Biology and Control of Diseases, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Mohammad Hossein Arandian Esfahan Health Research Station, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Reza Jafari Esfahan Health Research Station, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Seyedeh Reyhaneh Golzan Department of Plant Protection, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj 31587-77871, Iran Amir Ahmad Akhavan 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 Chemical Pollutants and Pesticides, Institute of Environmental Research, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 2023 07 27 2023 08 22 Background: Zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis is a major public health problem in Iran with the main vector of Phlebotomus papatasi. The use of entomopathogenic fungi for biological control of the vector is a potential substitute for the current methods which are being used. The purpose of the current study was to assess the virulence of two local isolates of Beauveria bassiana (OZ2 and TV) against Ph. papatasi. Methods: To perform the bioassay test, fungal suspensions were applied for every stage of the sand fly life cycle. The mortality rate, longevity, and number of eggs laid were determined. Also, the probability of fungal survival on the sur­face of rodent’s body was assessed.  Results: The longevity of infected adult sand flies with both isolates of B. bassiana was significantly lower (P< 0.05) in comparison to the negative control. The estimated Lethal concentration 50 (LC50) values for adult female and male sand flies treated with OZ2 isolate were 1.4×106 and 2.2×107 conidia/ml, respectively, while they were 6.8×106 and 2.3×108 conidia/ml for TV iso­late, respectively. Both isolates of B. bassiana exhibited nonsignificant mortality rates in sand fly larvae and pupae and fecundity rate (P> 0.05). According to our findings for both isolates, the fungus continued to spread throughout the sur­face of the rodent's body for 144 hours after spraying. Conclusion: The current study demonstrated that both isolates of B. bassiana have considerable biological control ca­pacity against adult sand flies. https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/view/1663 https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/download/1663/634

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Journal of Arthropod-Borne Diseases 2322-1984 17 3 2024 02 07 1624 1624 Abdollah Badzohre Department of Vector Biology and Control of Diseases, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Mohammad Ali Oshaghi Department of Vector Biology and Control of Diseases, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Ahmad Ali Enayati Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Public Health and Health Sciences Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran. Seyed Hassan Moosa- Kazemi Department of Vector Biology and Control of Diseases, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Seyed Hassan Nikookar 3Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, Health Sciences Research Center, Addiction Institute, School of Public Health, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran Fahimeh Talebzadeh Department of Vector Biology and Control of Diseases, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Nazanin Naseri-Karimi Department of Vector Biology and Control of Diseases, School of Public Health, 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 Hassan Vatandoost Department of Vector Biology and Control of Diseases, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, Department of Chemical Pollutants and Pesticides, Institute of Environmental Research, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 2023 03 05 2023 05 20 Background: Anopheles stephensi is the main vector of malaria in Iran. This study aimed to determine the susceptibility of An. stephensi from the south of Iran to bendiocarb and to investigate biochemical and molecular resistance mechanisms in this species. Methods: Wild An. stephensi were collected from Hormozgan Province and reared to the adult stage. The susceptibility test was conducted according to the WHO protocols using bendiocarb impregnated papers supplied by WHO. Also, field An. Stephensi specimens were collected from south of Kerman and Sistan and Baluchistan Provinces. To determine the G119S mutation in the acetylcholinesterase (Ace1) gene, PCR-RFLP using AluI restriction enzyme and PCR direct-sequencing were performed for the three field populations and compared with the available GenBank data. Also, biochemical assays were performed to measure alpha and beta esterases, insensitive acetylcholinesterase, and oxidases in the strains. Results: The bioassay tests showed that the An. stephensi field strain was resistant to bendiocarb (mortality rate 89%). Ace1 gene analysis revealed no G119S in the three field populations. Blast search of sequences revealed 98–99% identity with the Ace1 gene from Pakistan and India respectively. Also, the results of biochemical tests revealed the high activity of non-sensitive acetylcholinesterase, alpha and beta-esterase in the resistant strain compared to the susceptible strain. No G119S was detected in this study additionally the enhanced enzyme activity of esterases and acetylcholinesterase suggesting that resistance was metabolic. Conclusion: The use of alternative malaria control methods and the implementation of resistance management strategies are suggested in the study area. https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/view/1624 https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/download/1624/635

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Journal of Arthropod-Borne Diseases 2322-1984 17 3 2024 02 07 1634 1634 EN Çağrı Buyurgan Department of Emergency Medicine, Mersin University, Faculty of Medicine, Mersin, Turkey Ataman Köse Department of Emergency Medicine, Mersin University, Faculty of Medicine, Mersin, T