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Introdaction:Leishmaniasis is a zoonosis disease, presented in three forms including cutaneous, mucocutaneous, and visceral (kala-azar). The parasite, Leishmania spp, is transferred by the causative agent of the disease, namely the sand-fly. Accurate identification of sand-flies helps to prevent and treat the disease. Materials and Methods:This study was conducted to identify sand-fly species distributed in Birjand, east of Iran. Sand-flies were collected from different parts of Birjand city, Iran through using sticky traps in summer 2015. Captured female specimens were mounted and identified by specific keys. Result:In this study, a total of 1480 samples of sand-flies were collected, out of which 945 sand-flies in areas were related to animal and 535 sand-flies in areas related to human. The most prevalent species, among 654 collected female specimens were Phlebotomus sergenti (22.17%) and Sergentomyia dentata (49.54%). Conclusion:According to the current results, the dominant species among disease vectors of cutaneous leishmaniasis is the urban type. Because of the presence of Leishmania tropica, the city's health system must take necessary care to control cutaneous leishmaniasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In Iran, both forms of cutaneous (CL) and visceral leishmaniasis (VL) have been reported; so the accurate species identification of the parasite(s) and the analysis of genetic diversity are necessary. Methods: The smears were collected from lesions samples of 654 patients with CL, who attended local health centers in 12 provinces of Iran during 2013-2015. The smears were checked for the presence of amastigotes by light microscopy. DNA of 648 Leishmania isolates, amplified by targeting a partial sequence of ITS (18S rRNA-ITS1-5.8S rRNA-ITS2) gene. Twenty-five of all the amplicons were sequenced and analyzed with restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) using the Taq1 enzyme. Results: All the smears were positive microscopically. The PCR-RFLP analysis revealed that 176 (27%) CL patients were infected with L. tropica and, 478 (73%) with L. major. The dominant species in all over Iran is L. major. The sequencing results of all CL patients and RFLP analysis confirmed each other. Based on our phylogenetic tree, 25 ITS DNA sequences were grouped into two clusters representing L. major and L. tropica species. Phylogenetic tree derived from the ITS sequences supports a clear divergence between L. major from the other species. Conclusion: Discrimination of Iranian Leishmania isolates using ITS gene gives us this opportunity to detect, identify, and construct the phylogenetic relationship of Iranian isolates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection (STI), leads to pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility and chronic pelvic pain in women as well as an increased risk of vertical transmission, conjunctivitis and pneumonitis in infants. It may also be a co-factor along with human papillomavirus (HPV) in cervical cancer progression. We aimed to determine the prevalence of CT genotypes in genital specimens of women from South Khorasan, Iran and to test the association between CT and cytology statistics. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study on 248 Pap smear samples from women who visited a gynecologist for routine Pap smear testing in South Khorasan province. Nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to test the residual fluids of Pap smears for CT-DNA after cytological examination. Direct sequencing, alignment and phylogenic analyses were performed on eight samples to identify their genotypes. Results: The mean age of patients was 37.54 ± 5.21 years. Most samples had a normal cytology (214 cases, 86.29%). Overall, 31 samples were positive for CT infection (12.5%) of which 20 (9.34%) were normal and 11 (32.35%) were abnormal, with the frequency difference being significant (P=0.022). The co-infection of CT/HPV in total was identified in 14 cases (5.6%). The results of sequencing eight samples out of the 31 CT positive samples revealed the detection of genotypes D and E, each with four cases. Conclusion: We show that a high prevalence of genital CT infection is present in women with both normal and abnormal cytology; however, the higher prevalence among women in the abnormal group may indicate its involvement in cervical neoplasia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is one of the most important neglected tropical diseases and a major public health challenge in Iran caused by Leishmania spp and transmitted by phlebotomine sand flies. The number of CL cases has shown an increasing pattern all over the country, including the district of Varamin, southeast of Tehran, Iran. This study aimed to identify the Leishmania spp isolated from CL patients using molecular methods in Varamin during 2012-2013. Methods: Exudate materials collected from the swollen edge of the skin lesions of 44 parasitological positive CL patients by disposable lancet. They were referred to Varamin Health Center by physician. The samples were subjected to molecular method for Leishmania species identification. Results: The digestion pattern of restriction enzyme revealed that 37 (84.1%) CL patients were infected with L. major and 7 (15.9%) were infected with L. tropica. They were mostly male than female. More than half of the patients (58%) had multiple lesions, and they were mostly observed on extremities, 34.1% on legs and 29.5% on hands. Le- sions were mostly of wet ulcerative type. Conclusion: Dominancy of L. major provides more evidence that Varamin District probably could be considered as Zoonotic Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (ZCL) areas. More investigation on other epidemiological aspects of disease is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Culex spp, a prevalent mosquito in many tropical countries, causes filarial fever among human beings. The easiest way to prevent this disease is to eliminate the vector. The present study aimed to compare the effect of the extract of aerial parts of Hyoscyamus niger and Nerium oleander on larva killing. Materials and methods: Aerial parts of the plant were collected and dried. Methanol was used for extraction and the solvent was removed with a rotary evaporator. Mosquito larvae were collected and identified from stagnant water pits and ponds around Birjand, Iran. The larvae were then placed on a plate containing a certain concentration of the extract of oleander or henbane separately, and their mortality rates were recorded and analyzed. Results: H. niger and N. oleander alcoholic extract of aerial parts both had a positive effect on eliminating larvae of the Culex spp., but the flower extract of henbane was the most powerful extract after 72 hours (LC50= 0.46 ppm) and the stem extract of henbane was the weakest one (LC50= 37.57 ppm). Conclusion: Due to the strong larvicidal effect of the henbane extract in 72 hours compared to other extracts, it is suggested that it be used as an organic pesticide to eliminate Culex spp larvae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Leishmaniasis is one of the most important diseases in Iran, with high prevalence in some part of country including, Tehran province. This study was aimed to investigate the cutaneous lesions of patients studies was also referred to different laboratory of Health center of Varamin (a city in Tehran province), sand flies species in selected area. Material and Methods: In this cross sectional study demographic data was collected by special questionnaire. Smears of suspected patients to stained and examined by microscope. Sand flies were collected by sticky traps, CDC light traps and aspirators, female specimens were mounted and identified by diagnostic keys at species level. Results: Leishmania parasites were observed in 56.82% of cases. Disease was more common among male (64%). The majority of patients (30%) aged between 25-39 year old. Most lesions (50%) observed in hands and legs of patients, 76% of affected people had just one lesion. Half of them had a history of travel to endemic areas. More than 2500 sand flies captured during this study; among them 1100 female specimens were mounted and identified. The prevalent spicies was Sergentomyia spp (65/9%), the second was. papatasi (33/20%). It should be mentioned that Ph. sergenti, Ph. alexandri and Ph. caucasicus group also were identified in lower percentage. Conclusion: According to current results and the status of the studied region including it seems that (Agricultural activities, animal husbandry and migration), cutaneous leishmaniasis could be a health threatening problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aims of the current study were to determined present status of CL in Shiraz City, identify the causative species of Leishmania and conduct phylogenetic evaluations in detected parasites., Methods: This study was conducted on 70 individuals with suspected CL that referred to the major health centers of Shiraz (Valfajr), Fars province, Iran, from Sep 2016 to Jul 2017. DNA was extracted from cultured Leishmania promastigotes and PCR-RFLP were performed using ITS1-rDNA gene., Results: Overall, 39 male (55.70%) and 31 (44.30%) female were found to be positive microscopically. All of direct examined positive samples were confirmed to be positive for Leishmania spp. DNA. Based upon the PCRRFLP patterns and phylogenetic analysis, 46 (65.72%), 17 (24.28%) and 7 (10%) isolates were clearly identified as L. major , L. tropica and C. fasciculata , respectively., Conclusion: The dominat detected species in Shiraz City was L. major and L. tropica , respectively. CL has high prevalence in Shiraz City; therefore, more studies on leishmaniasis in the natural vectors and also reservoirs infection in this region is exceedingly recommended. Skin leisons due to C. fasciculata , was described for the first time in Iran (Shiraz City)., Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest., (Copyright© Iranian Public Health Association & Tehran University of Medical Sciences.)