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Background: Anopheles stephensi, a malaria‐transmitting mosquito species, has developed resistance to various insecticides such as DDT, Dieldrin, Malathion, and synthetic pyrethroids. To combat this issue, the World Health Organization (WHO) suggests using Actellic®300CS and Icon®10CS for Indoor Residual Spraying to tackle pyrethroid‐resistant mosquitoes. The aim of this research project was to evaluate the susceptibility of An. stephensi to certain insecticides at the diagnostic concentration + intensity 5x diagnostic concentration (5XDC) assays in Iran and to study the lasting effectiveness of Actellic®300CS and Icon®10CS against this particular malaria vector. Methods: This study assessed the susceptibility of An. stephensi populations in southern Iran to various insecticides, including deltamethrin 0.05%, DDT 4%, malathion 5%, bendiocarb 0.1%, a synergist assay with PBO 4% combined with deltamethrin 0.05%, and an intensity assay using 5x the diagnostic concentration of deltamethrin (0.25%) and bendiocarb 0.5%. Laboratory cone bioassay tests were conducted to determine the residual effectiveness of Actellic®300 and Icon®10CS insecticides on different surfaces commonly found in households, such as cement, mud, plaster, and wood. The tests were carried out following the WHO test kits and standard testing protocols. Results: The An. stephensi populations in Bandar Abbas were found to be susceptible to malathion 5% and deltamethrin 0.25% (5XDC), but exhibited resistance to DDT, standard concentration of deltamethrin, and both standard and intensity concentrations of bendiocarb. In laboratory cone bioassay tests, An. stephensi mortality rates when exposed to Actellic®300CS and Icon®10CS on different surfaces remained consistently more than 80%. Actellic®300CS achieved more than 80% mortality on all substrates for the entire 300‐day post‐spraying period. Conversely, Icon®10CS maintained mortality rates more than 80% on plaster and wood surfaces for 165 days and on mud and cement surfaces for 270 days post‐spraying. Both Actellic®300CS and Icon®10CS demonstrated 100% mortality within 72 h of each test on all surfaces throughout the entire 300‐day post‐spraying period. Conclusion: The study shows the varying levels of resistance of An. stephensi Bandar Abbas population to different insecticides and demonstrates the consistent performance of Actellic®300CS in controlling these mosquitoes on various surfaces. The findings suggest that long‐lasting CS formulations may be more effective for malaria vector control compared to the current options. Further research is needed to validate these findings in field settings and assess the impact of these insecticides on malaria transmission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Toxoplasma gondii, a cosmopolitan protozoan parasite causes toxoplasmosis in humans and many species of domestic and wild animals. T. gondii instigates significant economic losses in sheep and goat farming industry and can lead to abortion, stillbirth, congenital malformations and neonatal losses. The objective of this protocol is to evaluate worldwide seroprevalence of T. gondii exposure in goats using Bayesian hierarchical meta-analysis and geographic information system (GIS). Methods: A comprehensive literature search will be conducted using search engines, including Web of Science, ScienceDirect, Scopus, PubMed, ProQuest, EMBASE, PROSPERO Register and, Google Scholar without date and language restrictions. The authors search for cross-sectional studies that determine the seroprevalence of T. gondii in goats. Two reviewers will independently screen, selected studies; also, they will extract data, and assess the risk of bias. In case(s) of disagreement, a consensus will be reached with the help of a third author. The Bayesian hierarchical meta-analysis will use to estimate country and worldwide true seroprevalence of T. gondii, which is consist of the sensitivity and specificity of the applied serological assays. The obtained data will be used to identify country-level risk factors associated with T. gondii exposure using GIS in the ArcGIS software. Discussion: The systematic review produced from this protocol will provide the true prevalence rate and spatial distribution T. gondii exposure in goats both regionally and globally using Bayesian hierarchical and GIS analysis. Systematic review registration: PROSPERO registration number: CRD42020107928. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the suitable ecological habitats of Aedes (Ae.) aegypti and Ae. albopictus in Iran due to climate change by the 2070s. Methods: All data relating to the spatial distribution of Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus worldwide, which indicated the geographical coordinates of the collection sites of these mosquitoes, were extracted from online scientific websites and entered into an Excel file. The effect of climatic and environmental variables on these mosquitoes was evaluated using the MaxEnt model in the current and future climatic conditions in the 2030s, 2050s, and 2070s. Results: The most suitable areas for the establishment of Ae. aegypti are located in the southern and northern coastal areas of Iran, based on the model outputs. The modelling result for suitable ecological niches of Ae. albopictus shows that in the current climatic conditions, the southern half of Iran from east to west, and parts of the northern coasts are prone to the presence of this species. In the future, some regions, such as Gilan and Golestan provinces, will have more potential to exist/establish Ae. albopictus. Also, according to the different climate change scenarios, suitable habitats for this species will gradually change to the northwest and west of the country. The temperature of the wettest season of the year (Bio8) and average annual temperature (Bio1) were the most effective factors in predicting the model for Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus, respectively. Conclusions: It is required to focus on entomological studies using different collection methods in the vulnerable areas of Iran. The future modelling results can also be used for long-term planning to prevent the entry and establishment of these invasive Aedes vectors in the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Leishmaniasis is one of the most important vector-borne and neglected tropical diseases in many parts of the world. The main objective of this study was to determine the biodiversity of phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae, Phlebotominae) in Khuzestan and Kermanshah Provinces of Iran. Methods: Sampling was conducted in Khuzestan and Kermanshah Provinces using sticky paper traps and CDC light traps. The samples were then stored in 96% alcohol-containing vials, mounted, and identified. Afterward, the alpha diversity (using Simpson’s, Shannon-Weiner’s diversity, evenness, Maghalef’s, Menhinick’s, Hill N1 and N2 indices) and beta diversity indices (using Sorensen’s and Jaccard’s coefficients) were calculated. Results: A total of 4302 sand flies were caught and identified which comprised mostly of Phlebotomus papatasi, Ph. alexandri and Ph. sergenti. It was found that among the four counties of Ahvaz, Shush, Shushtar and Dezful in Khuzestan Province, Shush had the lowest, and Shushtar, the highest amount of species diversity and evenness. In the four studied counties of Kermanshah Province, species diversity in Kermanshah County had the lowest amount and Sarpol-e-Zahab, the highest. The species richness in Kermanshah County was the lowest, while Qasr-e-Shirin County had the highest amount. Conclusion: An overview of the biodiversity of phlebotomine sand flies in Kermanshah County in Kermanshah Province, and Shush County in Khuzestan Province, showed less stability in community structure of these vectors, which can be counted as an alarm for emerging dominant vectors among the studied counties and have the potential to increase the prevalence of leishmaniasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cutaneous leishmaniasis is an ancient endemic disease in Iran and continues to be a growing health threat to community development and the environment. This paper explains how to use the facilities of health centers for developing a laboratory network on vectors and reservoir hosts of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Iran. Methods: A literature search was performed of the relevant multiple databases to include studies on vectors and reservoirs of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Iran. A team of experienced experts was performed. After holding several meetings, field visits and organizing workshops, the activities of laboratories were determined at three levels. Results: Entomological studies showed that 5 species of the genus Phlebotomus and 10 species of the genus Sergentomyia are active in the south, 4 species of the genus Phlebotomus and one species of the genus Sergentomyia in the central part and 5 species of the genus Phlebotomus and 2 species of the genus Sergentomyia in the north east. Reservoir hosts were identified in the study areas. The tasks of laboratories were regulated at different levels. Conclusion: The Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education should prioritize the employment of capable persons in the field of Medical Entomology and Vector Control. The survival of this laboratory network depends on hiring and employing interested and persistent people. The universities of Medical Sciences that have the facilities to set up this network will be a very effective partner in the control of the disease in high risk areas. The results can be used in neighboring countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Given the significance of climate change and its substantial effects on mosquitoes’ habitats, this study was aimed to model the spatial distribution of the main malaria vectors in the south east of Iran. Methods: Several scientific databases between 1980 and 2019 were reviewed to find mosquito species and their spatial information in this area. The archived folders in the center for diseases control and prevention were used to exploit essential data on malaria cases and foci. Three representative concentration pathways (RCP2.6, RCP4.5 and RCP8.5) were chosen to stand for three possible climate scenarios. Finally the potential species distribution of Anopheles stephensi and An. culicifacies s.l. in the 2030s and 2050s horizons were estimated by the Maximum Entropy Model. Results: So far, a total of 39 mosquito species belonging to the family Culicidae have been reported from the study area. In 2019, the total malaria cases have increased by 91% compared to 2015, as well as a sharp rise than 2018 (249%). In that year, 91% of cases were imported from other countries, which caused 40% increase in the new potential foci than in 2018. The Jackknife test demonstrated the annual mean temperature and precipitation of the coldest quarter with the greatest impact on the environmental suitability of the mentioned two species. Conclusion: The effect of climate change on the appearance and recurrence of mosquito-borne diseases has been demonstrated in various studies. Collecting further data and conducting investigation on this issue will improve control management, especially for the malaria vectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]