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Background: A cutaneous form of leishmaniasis (cutaneous leishmaniasis, CL) is becoming increasingly common, and this study was conducted to investigate the epidemiological features of CL in the county of Izeh in Khuzestan province. Materials and Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional research was performed during 2014- 2019. Basic demographic and clinical information was gathered from patients with CL referring to Izeh health centre and then processed using SPSS software, version 25.0. Results: Overall, data related to 131 patients were recorded from 2014 to 2019. The incidence of CL showed a decrease from 16.207 to 5.028 per 100000 individuals in Izeh. Based on the analysis of CL incidence in Izeh county, a statistically significant difference was observed through the mentioned six-year study (P

Equine influenza is an acute, infectious and highly contagious respiratory disease with worldwide distribution, high morbidity and low mortality. The disease is caused by H7N7 and H3N8 subtypes of genus A of influenza virus in the horse. The most significant clinical signs of equine influenza are fever, coughing and nasal discharge. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of Equine influenza in horses of Khuzestan province by ELISA assay. Blood samples were randomly collected from 184 horses from Ahvaz, Ramhormoz, Shush, Shushtar, Mahshahr and Abadan cities. Seroprevalence of influenza virus was 7.07% (95% CI: 3.97-10.77). Multivariate logistic regression showed that age, sex, history of respiratory disease, history of leaving the province, body condition score, type of use, herd size and geographical location justify 45 percent of fluctuations in infection. History of leaving the province was the only factor with a significant effect on infection (p

Background: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of death worldwide, with a disproportionally rising burden among low- and middle-income populations. While preventable risk factors highly contribute to this burden, populationbased studies assessing these factors and the health status of these populations, are scarce. Methods: The Khuzestan Comprehensive Health Study (KCHS)--a cross sectional study--was conducted between 2016-2019, including 30,506 Iranians aged 20 to 65 years, from 27 counties of Khuzestan province, southwest of Iran. KCHS aimed to provide a comprehensive health overview by investigating the prevalence and risk factors of NCDs and psychological disorders, along with viral hepatitis as a common communicable disease. Upon registration, 15 mL of blood and anthropometric measurements were obtained from participants. Afterwards, several interviewer-administered questionnaires were completed to gather data on demographics, socioeconomic status, sleep quality, physical activity, lifestyle habits, nutrition, and medical history. Results: The mean ± SD age of participants was 41.7 ± 11.9 years. The majority were female (64.3%), of the Arab ethnicity (49%), married (83%), and urban residents (73.1%). About 70% had an educational level below high school diploma. Overall, 10.8%, 5.2%, and 2.8% of participants had used cigarettes, hookah, and drugs at least once in their lifetime, respectively. While body mass index and serum cholesterol levels were higher in females, blood pressure was higher in males (P < 0.001). Conclusion: KCHS assessed many aspects of health in the Khuzestan province. In addition to develop a biobank along with a comprehensive dataset, KCHS will serve as a valuable infrastructure for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Leishmaniasis, as a major health concern exists in 14 out of 22 countries of the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR). Therefore, the aim of present investigation was to evaluate the epidemiological features and spatial distribution of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) during six consecutive years (2009–2014). Material and methods: In current retrospective cross-sectional study among 2009–2014, simple direct smear was taken from all suspicious CL subjects who referred to health centers affiliated to Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences. For each patient a questionnaire including some demographic details was filled. Eventually data analysis was done by SPSS.16. Results: Trend of CL in the region was unstable. Spatial distribution of CL in central and west cities was higher than in others. During the years, a total of 4137 smear positive individuals were diagnosed. Of these 55.7% lived in urban and 44.3% lived in rural districts. Frequency of CL was higher in men (60.1%) than in women (39.9%). Also based on age range, 11–30 was the most afflicted group (45.7%). Anatomic location of ulcers was as follows: hands 45.7%, feet 27.4%, face 19.1% and other places 7.8%. Conclusions: Regarding high incidence of CL in southwest of Iran, special programs related to vector and reservoir control should be adopted and implemented. Traffic control of immigrants and travelers from neighboring endemic countries, also can be helpful.

Bovine leukemia virus (BLV) is a member of the Delta retro virus genus (family Retroviridae) and can cause persistent lymphocytosis and lymphosarcoma in cattle that is described as enzootic bovine leucosis (EBL). This disease causes significant economic losses associated with the costs of control and eradication programs. Control programs of leucosis are based on the screening of cows by serological methods and removing the infected cows. The aim of this study was to evaluate the seroprevalence of bovine leukemia virus in cattle in Khuzestan province. Serum samples from 527 cattle were randomly collected in Ahvaz, Baghmalek, Shooshtar, Gotvand, Shadegan, Hendijan, Behbahan, Ramhormoz and Susangerd cities and were examined by ELISA assay. Seroperevalence rate of bovine leukemia virus was 6.64% (95% CI: 4.51-8.77). Statistical analysis indicated no significant association between infection and age or breed. Relative frequency of infection was higher in female cows than males, but this difference was not significant and odds of infection in female cows than males were 2.6 (95% CI: 0.35-19.59). Prevalence rate of infection between industrial (15%) and nonindustrial (3.4%) husbandry was significantly different (p

Leishmaniasis, one of the most important parasitic diseases worldwide, is frequently cited with respect to health risks related to climate change. The current variability of the climate may have different impacts on the transmission of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) depending on the various Leishmania species. The number and distribution of CL cases in Khuzestan Province, Southwestern Iran was analysed over the 2010-2014 period with regard to temperature, humidity, rainfall, sunshine hours, evaporation and wind-related climate issues. During the study period, there were 4672 recorded clinical cases of CL, the incidence of which was found to fall into three types of areas, such as high, intermediate and low-level endemic areas. Compared to the intermediate and low-endemic areas, the hyper-endemic areas showed significantly variable meteorological data with regard to rainy days, maximum/minimum temperature and humidity. Decreased temperatures in the eastern part of this province were found to promote the disease towards its centre. We conclude that the meteorological variables and incidence data of CL indicate that the number of rainy days, maximum and minimum temperatures and relative humidity are significant variables that can predict CL incidence. Indeed, the substantial climatic variability occurring during the recent 5-year period (2010-2014) in Khuzestan Province could be the main reason for the change in epidemiology and transmission of CL.

Introduction: Leishmaniasis, as a major health concern exists in 14 out of 22 countries of the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR). Therefore, the aim of present investigation was to evaluate the epidemiological features and spatial distribution of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) during six consecutive years (2009-2014). Material and methods: In current retrospective cross-sectional study among 2009-2014, simple direct smear was taken from all suspicious CL subjects who referred to health centers affiliated to Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences. For each patient a questionnaire including some demographic details was filled. Eventually data analysis was done by SPSS.16. Results: Trend of CL in the region was unstable. Spatial distribution of CL in central and west cities was higher than in others. During the years, a total of 4137 smear positive individuals were diagnosed. Of these 55.7% lived in urban and 44.3% lived in rural districts. Frequency of CL was higher in men (60.1%) than in women (39.9%). Also based on age range, 11-30 was the most afflicted group (45.7%). Anatomic location of ulcers was as follows: hands 45.7%, feet 27.4%, face 19.1% and other places 7.8%. Conclusions: Regarding high incidence of CL in southwest of Iran, special programs related to vector and reservoir control should be adopted and implemented. Traffic control of immigrants and travelers from neighboring endemic countries, also can be helpful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES: Investigations into the epidemiology of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) are an essential strategic component of the Global Poliomyelitis Eradication Initiative of the World Health Organization (WHO), and are part of the certification process for polio eradication worldwide. This is an epidemiological report of AFP incidence in children less than 15 years old in southwest Iran. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study, carried out based on WHO guidelines, in which we reviewed non-polio AFP cases recorded from January 2006 to December 2010 in different regions of Khuzestan Province, southwest Iran. In this study, the records of all children under 15 years old with AFP were evaluated. RESULTS: During a 5-year period, 137 cases of AFP were reported (incidence rate, 2.21 per 100,000 children

Dermatophytosis is among the most common superficial mycoses in Iran. The purpose of this report was to update the clinical and mycological features of human dermatophytosis in the Khuzestan, southwestern Iran. In the framework of a one-year survey, a total of 4120 skin, hair and nail samples obtained from the outpatients with symptoms suggestive of tinea were analyzed by using direct microscopy, culture and molecular identification methods. Strains isolated from cultures were subjected to amplification of the nuclear rDNA ITS regions in a PCR assay followed by an early established RFLP analysis. For confirmation of species identification, 100 isolates as representatives of all presumable species were subjected to ITS sequencing. Infection was confirmed in 1123 individuals (27.25 %) in the age range of 1-89 years by direct microscopy and/or culture including 603 males versus 520 females. Frequencies of infections were the highest and the lowest in age groups of 21-30 and 11-20 years, respectively. Tinea corporis was the most prevalent clinical manifestation followed by tinea cruris, tinea capitis, tinea manuum, tinea pedis, tinea unguium, tinea faciei and tinea barbae. Trichophyton interdigitale (58.7 %) was the most dominant isolate followed by Epidermophyton floccosum (35.4 %), Microsporum canis (3 %), T. rubrum (1.5 %), T. species of Arthroderma benhamiae (0.5 %), T. tonsurans (0.3 %) and T. violaceum (0.3 %). Other species included M. gypseum, M. fulvum and T. verrucosum (each one 0.1 %). Such a high occurrence of infection with T. interdigitale, which has not been reported from Iran, is due to the use of accurate molecular methods based on new species concept in dermatophytes. The prevalence of dermatophytoses caused by zoophilic species remarkably increased and Trichophyton species of A. benhamiae has emerged as a new agent of dermatophytosis in southwestern Iran, while infections due to anthropophilic species, except E. floccosum, took a decreasing trend. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The aim of this retrospective descriptive study was to describe the epidemiological and some common clinical symptoms and signs among humans stung by Hemiscorpius lepturus (H. lepturus) in the southwest province of Iran, Khuzestan. Cases were collected from hospital patients’ files referred to two major Khuzestan hospitals over 5 years. Only definite stings of this species, identified by trained health-caring personnel, were included in this study. Epidemiological and clinical signs and symptoms were recorded. There were 354 scorpion victims, 43% of whom were from rural areas. Stings mainly occurred at night between 7p.m. and 5a.m. (56.1%), or from early morning 5a.m. to 12a.m. (38.6%), 41% of which occurred in the lower extremities. Eighty three percent of accidents occurred in mild/hot months of this area between April and October. The age most inflicted was between 1 month to 10 years and 11–20 years old, observed in 39.6% and 26.8% of victims, respectively. Among all the 26,397 scorpion stung files studied over the period of the study, while only 10–15% of stung cases occurred due to this not highly prevalent scorpion of Iran, it was responsible for 89% of the deaths and 92% of hospitalized scorpion-stung patients. The majority of cases were children aged less than 12 years old. Clinical signs and symptoms were both local and systemic. The local symptoms ranged from erythema to severe necrosis with no immediate sensation of pain. Renal toxicity is one of the serious systemic effects, which, if not treated early by administration of the polyvalent antivenom, can progress to severe renal and cardio-respiratory failure. Overall, the findings demonstrate that the characteristic clinical features of envenomation produced by this scorpion differ significantly from those reported for other scorpions in the world. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]