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Cimex species (Hemiptera: Cimicidae) are of public health importance as ectoparasites of mammals and birds; however, only a few species are the putative ectoparasites of humans. Bed bugs are wingless bloodsucking hemipterous insects (Cimex spp.), sometimes infest household furniture, especially beds, and feed on human blood. Correct species identification is critical to designing targeted strategies for the surveillance and controlling of bed bugs in a given area. Adult bed bugs were collected from houses located in the southwest of Iran. They were morphologically identified to the species level and then confirmed using molecular methods. The mtDNA 16 S rRNA sequences obtained from the samples, and phylogenetic tree, showed that all the sequences belong to Cimex hemipterus (Fabricius). The Disparity Index among results showed that all the specimens were of a heterogeneous population. The leg structure of this species has not previously been documented, and this report showed an open-closed rack system. Previous studies claimed that C. lectularius is an abundant species of Cimicids in Iran. Our results showed the existence of C. hemipterus in the southwest of Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thyroid cancer is considered as one of the most prevalent cancers in the world. Some pesticides can play a role as a potentially important risk factor in thyroid cancer by affecting thyroid morphology and thyroid hormone homeostasis. The aim of present study was to systematically review the available epidemiological evidence for human exposure to pesticides and thyroid cancer. Articles were searched in PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science by suitable keywords from January 2000 to May 2021. Standard techniques for systematic reviews were followed in the current study and results reported according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, finally seven studies including four cohort studies and three case-control studies were reviewed. Organochlorines (OCPs) in more cases, Organophosphates (OPs) and Carbamates insecticides, herbicides and fungicides were the studied pesticides. Inconsistent results were reported in the surveyed articles on the OCPs. Two articles on the Carbamates (Carbaryl and Mancozeb) showed consistently an inverse association between exposure and thyroid cancer. Increased risk of thyroid cancer due to the exposure to the Malathion was reported in one article on the OPs. Due to the limited current knowledge about the effect of pesticides on thyroid cancer in humans, human health policies must be implemented to control individual's exposure to chemicals through using of botanical pesticides in agricultural. Also, more studies must be done to fill this gap of knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to design and implement a mobile application, "Viral Gastroenteritis", and assess mobile users' satisfaction with this application. METHODOLOGY: This study was conducted in February 2021 in two stages: designing and constructing a viral gastroenteritis disease application based on the Android system and investigating mobile users' satisfaction with this application. RESULTS: Six hundred individuals responded to the questionnaire in this study; 36.5 % were males, 63.5 % were females, 35% were between 20-30 years old, and 43.83% had a bachelor's degree. The study results showed that more than 95% and 90% of the participants had no trouble installing the app. The images adequately conveyed the meaning of viral gastroenteritis, respectively. CONCLUSION: According to the inquiry outcomes, this didactic software can increase users' awareness when facing viral gastroenteritis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: Bed bugs as blood-sucking insects have become a public health problem in urban communities throughout the world. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of resident education and self-implementation of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategy for eliminating bed bug infestation in infected apartments in Ahvaz City, Iran. Methods: This interventional study was conducted in seventy apartments infested with bed bug (Cimex lectularius) in Ahvaz City, southwest Iran, during a 6-month period. The bed bug infestations reported to Health centers were inspected visually and confirmed by medical entomology experts. Then, the heads of the households were received techniques/ tools of the IPM program and trained by medical entomology experts before self-implementation of control methods. Finally, the infected apartments were inspected by the experts at 1, 3, and 6 months after intervention and data were recorded in a checklist. Results: From the seventy infected apartments, 57%, 28% and 15% were considered as low, moderate, and high level infestation respectively. The bed bug infestation was eliminated from 53 apartments (76%) after one month and it reached to 62 apartments (88%) by the end of third month. Finally, after six months of applying IPM program, bed bugs infestation was eliminated from all infected apartments (100%). Residents expressed their 100% satisfaction with applying the bed bug IPM strategy. Conclusion: Training residents to implement the IPM program can reduce pest control costs, the volume of pesticides consumed, and human exposure to chemical pesticides, resulting in increased human and environmental health and safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The common bed bug, a nocturnal bloodsucking insect, is known as a human parasite and public health problem in the world. The prevalence and geographical dispersion of bed bug in Ahvaz City, southwest of Iran was measured. Methods: Spatial distribution of Cimex lectularius was determined by surveying 520 houses in 62 areas of Ahvaz City in 2017. Some information like as infested points, the concern level of the residents and allergic reaction to the insect bite were registered in a form using the secondhand instrument. Results: According to the spatial distribution map, of 62 areas, 27 of them are infested with bed bugs. Infestation is scattered throughout the city, but its focus is on the east of the Karun River. The most bed bug infestation was in Asiabad followed by Manbaab areas. Prevalence of bed bug infestation estimated 9.61% in Ahvaz city. It was 5.4% and 11.6% in apartments and single houses, respectively. The lowest and highest infestation rates based on its source were 1.35% and 9.03% in wallpaper and cracks and crevices, respectively. Bedroom and sitting room were the main harborages for bed bug in the houses. The majority of residents who had bitten by a bed bug showed various allergic reactions like redness skin, papules, vesicles, pustules and blisters. Most of the people in the infested houses (62%) were very concern about bed bug infestation. Conclusion: Public education and increasing the knowledge of people can lead to successful management, prevention and elimination of this nuisance pest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Bedbugs (Cimex spp.) are a public health problem and an urban pest that require blood meal from humans, other mammals or birds to survive. Bedbugs constitute an emerging public health problem and infestations have been reported globally. This paper reports three cases of social health problems caused by bedbugs in three residential buildings in Kish Island, Dezful, and Ahvaz in southern Iran. Case presentation: Case 1; A 42-year-old male living in Dezful city had a bedbug infestation in his house (September 2018). He developed a phobia (entomophobia) about bedbugs. Case 2; A 36-year-old man and 33-year-old woman living in Ahvaz city had a bedbug infestation in their house (August 2017). The woman was very concerned about the bedbug infestation in the house and she had entomophobia, stress, anxiety, insomnia and paranoia; this issue caused resentment and hence conflict between the couple. Case 3: A 25-year-old woman and a 28-year-old man living in Kish Island rented a house from a 45-year-old man. The landlord was very concerned about the bedbug infestation in the house (July 2017), and claimed that the tenants were responsible for bedbugs’ presence. This issue caused hostility and conflict between them. Generally, all cases had bedbug infestations in their houses and this issue caused some social health problems such as entomophobia, concern, fear, stress, anxiety, insomnia, paranoia, resentment and conflict. Take-away lesson: Bedbugs are not vectors for infectious disease. But, with regard to our observations in the present study, bedbug infestations can produce some social health problems such as entomophobia, concern, fear, stress, anxiety, insomnia and paranoia, as well as resentment, hostility and conflict between residents in infested houses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The common bed bug (Cimex lectularius), a nocturnal blood-feeding ectoparasite, is considered an urban pest with public health importance in human environments. We aimed to determine the repellency effect of oregano essential oil, Origanum vulgare, against this pest under laboratory conditions. Methods: The essential oil was prepared from dried leaves using hydro-distillation method. A gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (GC-MS) was used for analysis and identification of oregano essential oil compounds. Treated surface method in Petri dish was carried out to evaluate repellency potential of the oil using 4th and 5th instar nymphs and adults. The concentration-repellency response of oregano essential oil was calculated and compared with a commercial insect repellent stick containing 33% N, N-diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET). Results: The oregano essential oil consisted of 158 compounds with terpineol (22.85%) and α–terpinene (20.60%) being the major components by volume. The EC50 and EC99 of oregano oil (effective concentrations causing 50% and 90% repellency of bed bugs) were 1.61 and 6.57mg/cm2 at 9h after application, respectively. The 40% oregano essential oil exhibited 100% repellency against bed bug at 3, 5, 9 and 24h after application while the repellency index of DEET 33% was 100% at 3 and 5h and it decreased to 80% and 27% at 9 and 24 hours. Conclusion: Oregano oil 40% exhibited more repellency compared to commercial insect repellent stick containing 33% DEET. Further studies are warranted to confirm the effectiveness of oregano essential oil in personal protecting against bed bug biting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Kerman Province is one of the endemic foci of scorpionism in southeastern Iran. Totally 17 species are reported for Kerman Province fauna. The current study seeks to determine the fauna of medically important scorpions in northern parts of this province. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2019 to March 2021. The specimens were captured from different areas, by rock-rolling during day and using Ultraviolet light at night. The specimens were preserved in ethanol (80%) and then identified using reliable identification keys for scorpions. Results: Totally, 499 specimens were captured from eight cities in northern Kerman. In total, 11 species belonging to three families were identified. Buthacus sp. is reported for the first time from Kerman Province. Buthacus sp., Hottentotta cf. juliae, and Hottentotta cf. schach, were the lowest in frequency of occurrence, against Mesobuthus navidpouri as the highest frequency. Conclusion: The results of this study are useful for the preparation of regional or monovalent antivenom for the Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute. Additionally, the obtained data are useful for the effective planning of scorpion control programs in the northern parts of Kerman Province, Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to review the studies used plants and plant components against Cimex lectularius. Standard procedure for systematic reviews was followed. Various electronic databases were investigated for choosing reliable researches from 1990 to 2021. In total, 18 papers were selected among the 300 papers. Totally, 26 plants were evaluated in the published studies. Plants included Thymus vulgaris, Origanum vulgare, Mentha piperita, Syzygium aromaticum, and plant components of Thymol, Carvacrol and Linalool have the highest frequency in the papers studied. Maximum mortality and repellency of up to 100% were reported for the essential oils of Tagetes patula, Schinus molle, and plants of Cinnamomum sp. Cymbopogon martinii, Mentha piperita, Salvia rosmarinus, Thymus vulgaris, Origanum vulgare, Nepeta cataria. The results of this review can provide a better understanding of the potential of extracts and essential oils made from these plants and plant components for researchers to control bed bugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In Iran, both cutaneous leishmaniases (CL) and visceral leishmaniases (VL) are endemic, recording one of the 10 highest CL prevalence in the world. Parasites are transmitted by the bite of infected Phlebotomus sand fly females. Several sand fly species have been identified as vectors in the studied region of Kerman province. Residual spraying to control adult sand flies, is the only way to decrease the spreading of the diseases but, following control treatment against malaria vectors in endemic areas in Iran, resistance or tolerance to insecticides emerged in some sand fly species. The objective of this study was to survey insecticides susceptibility levels of 3 vector species in wild sand fly populations in different foci of the diseases in Kerman province. Ph. sergenti, and Ph. papatasi respectively vectors of anthroponotic and zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniases and for the first time Ph. alexandri one of the anthroponotic visceral leishmaniases vector were tested against: deltamethrin 0.05%, malathion 5%, dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane (DDT) 4%. Materials and methods: In leishmaniases endemic areas species specific sand fly sites were selected in Kerman province, and specimens were collected by manual aspirators at different time intervals during the spring and summer 2019. All the susceptibility tests were performed according to the WHO tube test recommended procedure. Results: Twenty five blood-fed female sand flies from the region's prevalent species were used in each pooled test replicates. All wild specimens died within 60 min of exposure to DDT 4%, malathion 5%, and deltamethrin 0.05%, but the mortality rate for Ph. papatasi exposed to malathion and DDT was 91.6% and 66.6%, respectively. Conclusion: According to current study results, Ph. sergenti and Ph. alexandri are highly susceptible to all the evaluated insecticides in the study areas. However, Ph. papatasi was susceptible to deltamethrin (100% mortality), possibly resistant or tolerant to malathion (91.6% mortality), and confirmed to be resistant to DDT (66.6% mortality). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to determine feeding behaviors of Phlebotomus sergenti Parrot, in a new focus of Anthroponotic Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Bam County, southeast Iran. Two methods were used to determine the feeding behavior of Phlebotomus sergenti. In the first method, blood-fed sand flies were captured using a mouth aspirator in human and animal dwellings and consequently, blood meal identification was made using Multiplex PCR. The results were used for calculating Host Feeding Index (HFI) and Forage Ratio (FR) parameters. In the second method, human (Homo sapiens), goat (Capra aegagrus), cattle (Bos taurus), chicken (Gallus gallus) and dog (Canis lupus) were used as baits in tent-baited traps to determine the feeding behavior of Phlebotomus sergenti. Multiplex PCR analysis revealed that the most frequent blood in the stomack of sand flies' were from chicken, but the calculation of the FR revealed that this species prefers canine and poultary blood as meal. Human and animal tent-baited traps revealed that most Phlebotomus sergenti were attracted to chicken rather than the other hosts. Sand flies are attracted to animals for various reasons such as eating blood, mating on their bodies and laying eggs on their feces. Molecular methods are effective and accurate methods to determine the type of host that sandfly fed on, but they do not show host preferences. The results of the molecular analysis, along with the calculation of HFI and FR, can determine the preferred host of sand flies. The current study revealed that dogs, the secondary reservoir of ACL in Iran, is the first preferred host of Phlebotomus sergenti. [Display omitted] • Leishmaniasis is a severe public health problem as a neglected tropical disease. • Knowledge on vector feeding behavior is one of the essential means to control Leishmaniasis. • There is little information about the feeding behavior of P. sergenti in Iran, and knowledge about this vector is essential in Leishmaniasis control programs. • This study aimed to study the feeding behavior of Phlebotomus sergenti in the area. • The most frequent blood meal source of Ph. sergenti is chicken in the area. Chickens can be used as a none reservoir host in Zooprophylaxis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]