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Aims: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is one of the most important endemic diseases in Meshkinshahr. The present study was aimed to molecular detect of VL and babesiosis in clot blood samples taken from dogs. Materials & Methods: In this experimental study, a total number of 148 blood samples were collected from dogs with clinical signs of visceral leishmaniasis from Meshkinshahr area. All serum samples were examined by direct agglutination test (DAT). DNA was extracted from the blood clot with the DNGplus Extraction Kit. The ITS1 and kDNA genes of L. infantum were amplified by the PCR method. To identify and confirm the existence of Babesia parasites, 2 pairs of Babesia-specific primers were used. Results: All of 148 dogs (100%) showed titers more than 1:320 of L. infantum infection in the serological test. L. infantum kDNA was detected by PCR in all samples. No cases of infection with Babesia parasite found in the samples. Conclusions: The dog owners in Meshkinshehr are in close contact with dogs which are positive for VL, so, the implementation of health care in this region is highly recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) or kala-azar is a parasitic disease caused by Leishmania donovani complex. Evidence suggests that visceral leishmaniasis is prevalent in some areas of Mazandaran and Golestan provinces. This study aimed to investigate the cases and also determining the causative agents of VL in these provinces. In this study, seven VL patients (mean age 1.5 years) admitted to the pediatric departments in Sari Booali Sina and Gorgan Taleghani hospitals, 2013-2016, were examined. The most common clinical and laboratory findings included prolonged fever, hepatosplenomegaly, anemia, pancytopenia, and hypergammaglobulinemia. Blood and bone marrow (B.M) samples were taken. Direct agglutination test (DAT) and rapid rK39 strip test were used as serologic tests and B.M microscopic slides were checked by species-specific PCR to identify the parasite species. All patients had positive rK39 and DAT tests. Examination of bone marrow smears demonstrated amastigotes of Leishmania (Leishman bodies) in the samples. The species of Leishmania in all B.M smears was Leishmania infantum. According to the identification of L. infantum as the major agent of VL in Mazandaran and Golestan provinces, increasing physician awareness (especially pediatric specialists) of the disease and conducting control programs in these areas are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Mediterranean visceral Leishmaniasis (VL), so called kalaazar, is an endemic parasitic disease at Northeastern provinces of Iran. Several techniques are used for diagnosis of VL, but serology is less invasive. This study aimed to obtain the frequency of asymptomatic carriers of VL in endemic areas of North and Central Khorasan province, during 2015-2016. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was performed on 442 children residing in rural areas of North and Central Khorasan province. The data were collected including demographic information and field observation. Direct Agglutination Test (DAT) and rK39 test were performed to identify antibodies against Leishmania infantum. The obtained data were analyzed using SPSS version 16. Results: DAT was positive in 23 (5.22%) of the children. The result of rK39 test showed that none of the participants suffering from acute stage of kalaazar. DAT test showed that there was a significant difference between the rate of Leishmania infection in two provinces (P<0.005). Conclusion: According to the results obtained by DAT, the prevalence rate of asymptomatic VL is estimated to be 5%. The rate of VL infection is higher in the Northeast of Iran in comparison with other regions. The rate of asymptomatic VL is higher in the North Khorasan than Central Khorasan provinces. Despite the high sensitivity of rK39 test in diagnosis of VL, it is not appropriate for identifying asymptomatic VL, therefore, using DAT is recommended for diagnosis of asymptomatic VL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is one of the fatal zoonotic diseases of dogs and humans that is created by Leishmania infantum. Wild and domestic canids are the main reservoirs. Recent reports have shown the growth of leishmaniasis in non-endemic areas of Iran such as Golestan province (in northeast of Iran). Jackals (Canis aureus) are widely distributed in rural areas of Golestan province. So, this study was carried out to survey the role of jackals in epidemiology of visceral leishmaniasis in Golestan province. Materials and methods: Serum sample of 60 jackals has been collected and analyzed by ELIZA kit. Results: According to the kit instruction, 5(8.3%) serum samples have been found positive. Frequency of infection was similar in both sexes and different seasons. Conclusion: L.infantum infection of sampled jackals revealed presence of L.infantum in sampling areas and also the possibility of L.infantum spread among wild and rural areas by jackals. More vast and molecular studies with high sensitivity and specificity on L.infantum of jackals are recommended to obtain more accurate information on the role of jackals in spreading leishmaniasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Visceral leishmaniasis is a systemic parasitic disease with a high fatality rate in under-5-year-old children. The disease is endemic in some parts of Iran, particularly in the north-west region. In 2001 a visceral leishmaniasis (VL) surveillance system was established for children aged ≤ 12 years in the primary health system in Meshkin- Shahr District, Ardebil Province, situated in the north-west of Islamic Republic of Iran. Materials and Methods: All cases with clinical signs and symptoms of VL and confirmed positive by the direct agglutination test (DAT) were referred for physical examination and treatment. Results: The mean annual incidence of VL decreased significantly from 1.88 per 1000 children before (1985-2000), to 0.77 per 1000 child population after (2001-07), the intervention. In the control area with no surveillance, it increased from 0.11 to 0.23 per 1000. Conclusion: Early detection of VL using serological tests and timely treatment of cases can decrease the mortality and morbidity rates of VL in endemic areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a parasitic disease caused by a protozoan of Leishmania genus and in Iran by Leishmania infantum. The protective immune response against VL is cellular immunity through Th1 CD4+, which dominant chemokiens are IL12, IFN- γ and IL18 and lead to Th1 response. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) on IL-18 gene and its relation to IL18 levels in blood and IL18 function have been studied in many inflammatory diseases such as Behcect’s disease and tuberculosis. According to the important role of IL-18 in immunity against visceral leishmaniasis, this study was conducted to demonstrate the prevalence of genotypes on -607A/C in promoter region of IL-18 gene. Materials and Methods: This descriptive and cross-sectional study was done on 91 pateints with confirmed VL, 105 healthy sero-negative controls and 78 seropositive controls during 1999- 2009. Salting out method was used to extract DNA and ARMS-PCR was used to determine the genotype of -607A/C allele of individuals. Statistical analysis of genotypes was performed usingChi-Square test. Results: According to the results, -607C/C was the dominant genotype among the groups (35.8%). Distribution of genotypes among groups had not any significant difference. The lowest genotype among healthy sero-positive and patients were -607A/C and -607A/A, respectively. Statistical analysis of distribution of genotypes, did not reveal any significant difference among groups. Conclusion: The dominant genotypes of VL patients, healthy sero-negatives and healthy seropositives were -607C/C (38.5%), -607A/C (37.1%) and -607C/C (35.9%) respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: Epidemiology of Visceral Leishmaniasis is affected by combination quality and interaction of Parasite-Vector-Host and environmental conditions. So,disease cycle related and eco-social factors and environmental risk factors co-analyzing, help to understanding these interactions, prognosis and orientation in disease control and treatment. This study was done to determine the role of nomadic and non-nomadic lifestyle in transmission of Kala-Azar in the Northwest of Iran. Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, firstly the prevalence of Kala-Azar among people living in selected villages were determined by both serological test (Direct Agglutination Test: DAT) and immunological test (Montenegro Skin Test: MST) in the Northwest of Iran, on the way of Shahsavan tribe travelling in summer/winter quarters villages. Then DAT was conducted on the dogs presenting in those villages during 2006. One year later Seroconversion rate was calculated through collection of the individual’s negative sera and re-analyzing them via DAT. Finally, occurrence of Visceral Leishmaniasis in relation with various involving factors like dog density/abundance and nomadic and non- nomadic lifestyle using Chi-Square test were determined. Results: Both MST and DAT were significantly higher in the nomadic lifestyle than in the nonnomadic lifestyle (P<0.05). Three values of prevalence (5.5%), seropositivity (2.7%) and seroconversion (2.5%) were higher in nomads than non-nomads. The GIS studies and electronically prepared maps showed that the endemicity and the infection rate are higher in nomadsthan non-nomads. There were a negative correlation between general distribution of Visceral Leishmaniasis in relation with environmental conditions altitude, mean temperature and rainfall. Conclusion: This study indicated that Nomadic lifestyle can play as a risk factor in transmission of Visceral Leishmaniasis due to nomads/dog contacting, their entering in the wild cycle of disease and travelling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]