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Introduction: A study was undertaken to investigate the presence of house dust mites in Ilam town and their climate-induced variability between January and June 2017. Material & Methods: In this cross-sectional investigation, a total of fifty houses located in five different residential areas of Ilam town were selected using a cluster random sampling method. Dust samples, collected from mattresses, pillows, and carpets, were obtained from each house utilizing a portable vacuum cleaner. Each sample was then transferred into 70% alcohol solution, with an amount equivalent to 200mg preserved for further analysis. Under a stereomicroscope, mites were carefully isolated from the samples using micro-dissecting needles. Subsequently, these specimens underwent clearing processes before being mounted on Hoyer media for preservation purposes. The identification process involved employing standard taxonomic keys to determine the species of each specimen. Furthermore, statistical analyses provided both mean values as well as confidence intervals (CI) for the mite populations collected for every identified species. Additionally, binomial tests served to assess the distribution patterns across these species. Findings: Out of a grand total of 208 mite specimens analyzed during this investigation phase, seven distinct species namely Haemolaelaps glasgowi (24.52%), Echinolaelaps echidninus (12.02%), Laelaps nuttalli (11.06%), Androlaelaps setosus (13.94%), Neoeucheyla iranica (10.10%), Cheyletus malaccensis (14.90%), and Ornithonyssus bacoti (13.46%) were successfully identified. The distribution of all species displayed a significant statistical value (P < 0.01). Furthermore, an astonishing 80% of the visited households were infested with mites. Conclusion: This particular study has shed light on the presence of a remarkably diverse array of house dust mite species. The prevalence of certain rodent-related mites suggests that rodents either inhabit or frequent residential homes, prompting the need for further investigation.

Background: Scorpions’ stings and their own mortalities place them among the most important health and medical problems. The dreadful features and especially their poisonous stings are considered a major cause of human stress and abhorrence/phobia. The current study aimed to study the scorpion fauna of Ilam Province, south western Iran in order to manage scorpionism related problems. Methods: In this field-laboratory investigation during March 2014 to February 2015, different parts of Ilam Province were surveyed. Nine sampling parts were selected based on geographical situation, scorpionism reports, weather, flora, and local data. Capturing scorpion was done employing a black light, and a long forceps from dusk to mid­night. The collected scorpions were placed to 70% ethyl alcohol. All specimens were determined based on the valid taxonomic keys, furthermore their sexes were studied. Results: Out of the 391 collected scorpions, 11 species were identified as follows: Hottentotta saulcyi, Mesobuthus eupeus, Compsobuthus matthiesseni, Razianus zarudnyi, Hemiscorpius lepturus, Androctonus crassicauda, Or­thochirus iranus, Odontobuthus bidentatus, Buthacus macrocentrus, Scorpio maurus, and Polisius persicus. Conclusion: Eleven species of Buthidae, Scorpionidae and Hemiscorpiidae families from high risk areas were iden­tified. Despite the low surface of the province, such different species reveals a diverse scorpion fauna that, in turn, shows good and suitable habits of scorpions, as considered by health staff.

Ticks are vectors of some important arthropod-borne diseases in both fields of veterinary and medicine, such as Lyme, tularemia, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and some types of encephalitis as well as Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF). Iran is known as one of the main foci of CCHF in west of Asia. This study was conducted in DarrehShahr County because of the development of animal husbandry in this area to detect the fauna and viral infection of the hard ticks of livestock. A cross-sectional survey was conducted during 2011-2012 with random sampling in four villages. A sample of ticks was subjected to RT-PCR method for detection of viral infection. During the study period, 592 Ixodidae ticks were collected and identified as seven species of Hyalomma asiaticum, Hy. marginatum, Hy. anatolicum, Hy. dromedarii, Hy. detritum, Rhipicephalus bursa and Rh. sanguineus. More than 20% of these ticks were examined to detect the genome of CCHF virus while 6.6% were positive. All species of Hyalomma were found to be positive. A high rate of livestock was found to be infected with hard ticks, which can act as the vectors of the CCHF disease. Regarding infection of all five Hyalomma species captured in this area, this genus should be considered as the main vector of CCHF. Planning control program can be performed based on the obtained data on seasonal activity of Ixodidae to prevent animal infestation as well as to reduce the risk of CCHF transmission.