فهرست مطالب محمدعلی عشاقی

Iranian mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) include 73 species across eight genera. The fauna of mosquitoes in Guilan Province comprises 34 species classified into seven genera. A faunistic study of mosquitoes was conducted with emphasis on an aggressive biter mosquito reported by local people in Anzali and Rasht Cities of Guilan Province, northern Iran. Collections were made by hand catches using manual aspirators, light traps, BG lure traps and ovitraps during August–November 2023 in all 17 counties of the province. Species identification was carried out using morphological keys and molecular analysis of the barcode region of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. In total, 29 larvae and 896 adult specimens were collected which were not recognized as a species previously known to occur in the province. The aggressive biter mosquito was morphologically identified as Aedes albopictus (Skuse, 1895). The sequences of the barcode region of the COI gene of the species were generated for the first time in the country. This species was collected in 14 counties of the province. Thus, the mosquito fauna of Guilan Province increased to 35 species.

Today, the geographical distribution of a species based on maximum entropy using spatial data from geographical information system, remote sensing data and statistical techniques have a great contribution on conservation management of species. The aim of this study is evaluate the effects of environmental variable on distribution and habitat suitability of great gerbil (Rhombomys opimus) and predicting its habitat in Golestan province, Iran.

For this purpose, 272 presence-only data and 13 environment variables as independent variables were selected for this species. Then, geographic distribution and habitat suitability modeling were performed by maximum entropy approach in MaxEnt software, using to these presence data and variables.

Our results showed that, some of the habitat variables including: altitude, NDVI, soil type and climate had the greatest plays for habitat suitability and geographical distribution of R. opimus in this area. While that, aspect had less effects than other variables.

Based on our findings, habitats of R. opimus was continues and about 10.1% of Golestan province pereidicted as a suitable habitat for the great gerbil.

Rice is one of the most important and oldest crop and is one of the three leading crops in the world. Chilo suppressalis (Walker), rice striped stem borer, is a key insect pest damaging the rice crop up to 33 percent. Understanding genetic structure of the pest is essential for an effective pest management program and can corporate with control program. Aim of this stud was to determine the genetic structure of mitochondrial COII (mtDNA-COII) gene of the pest in north of Iran. Rice stem borer specimens were collected from rice fields in Guilan and Mazanderan provinces, at Caspian Sea coast at seasonal activity (spring) in 2016-2017. Genetic structure of 18 populations of the species was invesigated using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by direct-sequencing of mtDNA-COII gene. The obtained sequences were compared with each other and the available data in GenBank database. In total, 312 and 676 specimens were collected from Guilan and Mazanderan provinces respectively. Results showed that all specimens from two provinces are identical are like specimen from South Korea with GenBank ID MK207057.

Ixodidae (hard ticks) are obligate blood-feeders of vertebrates with major roles in transmission of pathogenic microorganisms including theileriosis, babesiosis and CCHF virus, as well as relapsing fever, to domestic animals and humans. This study was conducted to determine the distribution of ixodidae  species, vectors of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF), in the border areas in North West of Iran. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in Ahar and Kaliybar Counties, East Azarbaijan Province, Iran. Randomized cluster sampling was done in villages in the forest and mountainous regions. Ticks were isolated by forceps from the animals, kept in sampling tubes and transferred to the laboratory. Then the tick samples were identified using taxonomical keys. A total of 2022 hard ticks were isolated from 1400 head of livestock (1000, 200, 180 and 20 head of sheep, goat, cow and buffalo, respectively).  On the average, the infestation rate was 1.44 per head of cattle ─ 0.11% in goats, 0.32% in sheep, 0.90% in buffaloes, 9.25% cows. Out of the ticks isolated, 498 (24.63%) were male, 741 (36.65%) were female and 782 (38.67%) nymph, plus one larva. The ticks belonged to the lxodidae family, including four genera:               Hyalomma (88.82%, with the following three species: Hyalommaanatolicum (39.22%), Hyalommamarginatum (9.15%) and Hyalommaasiaticum (0.69%)); Rhipicephalus (8.8%); Dermasentor (1.58%); and Haemaphisalis (0.8%). The others identified were Hyalomma nymph (38.67%), Hyalomma sp. (1.04%) and Hyalomma larva (0.05%), Rhipicephalus bursa (5.19%), Rhipicephalussanguineus (3.61%), Dermasentor marinates(1.58%), Haemaphisalissulcata (0.59%), and Haemaphisalispunctata (0.15%), as well as Haemaphisalisconcinae (0.05%).  Hyalommaanatolicum was the dominant species.                                                                                                                                             The dominant tick species in the regions studied was Hyalommaanatolicum, a tick having a major role in transmission of many disease vectors including CCHF, ovin babesiosis, theileriosis, anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, etc. It is essential that the provincial Contagious Disease Center and Veterinary Department take appropriate action with the collaboration of other relevant departments to combat the tick.

Today, identifying the geographical distribution effects of the species that they are as a reservoir of the human pathogens, in order to conservation planning and diseases control through the bio-ecology methods is not inevitable. The aim of this study is assessment the effects of the geographical distribution of Great gerbil (Rhombomis opimus) as a reservoir of Lishmania major on geographical distribution of sandfly (Phlebotomus papatasi), which is main vector of this generating parasite of the zoonotic cutaneous leishmanianisis in Golestan province. For this aim, 378 presence-only data and 6 environment variables were selected as independent variables for this species. These variables were including: climate, altitude, normalized difference vegetation index, soil type, geographical distribution and habitat suitability of the great gerbil. Then, geographic distribution modeling of this sandfly was performed by maximum entropy approach in MaxEnt software, using to these presence data and variables. Our results showed that, some of the habitat variables including: geographical distribution and habitat suitability of the great gerbil had the greatest plays (89.3%) for geographical distribution of Ph. papatasi in this area. While that, other variables together had least effects (10.7%). Based on modeling conducted in this study, habitats of Ph. papatasi was continues in north of Golestan province and about 12.5% of this province predicted as a suitable habitat for the Ph. papatasi. This prediction can be effective in assess the vulnerability of areas to disease and develop preventive strategies aimed and control of disease.

RNA interference is a process, in which a molecule of double-stranded RNA prevents the expression of a particular gene and leads to its silencing. Application of this technology in the control of disease-carrying insects is rising in agriculture and medical sciences. Also, its application in control of insect-borne diseases could be considered as a new, important, and effective approach. In this article, it was attempted to study the mechanisms of RNA interference, routs of its delivery to insects, as well as its application in genetic control of disease vector insects.
In this study, 71 indexed articles in databases, such as Pubmed, SID, Scopus, Science direct, and Google scholar, were used.
dsRNA could be delivered to insect body through three routes of oral, injection, and Impregnation. The mechanism of dsRNA entrance into the cells has considerable effect on the success and applicability of this technique. Identification of host-parasite relationship in the insect body is one of the important applications of RNAi in medical entomology.
Although, there is a considerable number of researches on RNAi in the agricultural pests field, studies on insect vectors of human diseases have been mostly in-vivo. However, application of RNAi is suggested as a new, safe and applicable approach, alone or along with other methods. Certainly, further researches in this field can pave the way for enforcement measures in the control of disease vectors, especially Zika, dengue fever, and malaria in the not so distant future.

Malaria is one the most important health problems in most areas of world. This disease is endemic in 106 country of the world. This study was done in order to detect the genetic diversity of Anopheles superpictus as a malaria vector in South-West Iran.
in present study, An. superpictus were collected from different areas of Kohgiluyeh and Boyerahmad Province, the South West of Iran in 2013. Genetic diversity of this species was studied by using PCR and the amplified rDNA ITS2 gene was directly sequenced.
The genotype of this species was studied using gene r DNA ITS2. This confirms that the X genotype was detected in the province.
A total of 8 adult mosquitoes were evaluated and 448 bp band was set for this species. ITS2 fragment length among populations of the same species and the band was all they bp 353. This study is the first study of the genetic diversity of this species is in Kohgiluyeh and Boyerahmad

German Cockroaches (Blattela germanica) are insects that often live in dirty environment such as sewagesand toilets and feed from contaminatedmaterials.This insect is one of the most important factors to transport and spread bacteria in human environment, particularlybacteria of Enterobacteriaceae family. In this study, German cockroach's midget’s bacterial flora in Tehran was identified. German cockroaches from various regions of Tehran were round up and their gut were extracted and cultured on microbial media. Grown samples identified with differentculture media.Ten bacterial genera were identified in cockroach's midgut. Nine genera were belonging to gram negative bacteria and one isolates belong to gram positive bacteria. These genera belong to Citrobacter (20%), Psedomonas (18%), Proteus (17%), E. coli (15.5%), Enterobacter (12%), Staphilococcus (11.1%), Salmonella (3.3%), Klebsiella (1.1%), Shigella and Hafnia (1%). Several pathogenicbacteria are growing within the body of German cockroach and transmittedto the human environment with these insects. Most of these bacteria are pathogenic and can effect on human health. In this study, the most of identified bacteria were belong to Enterobacteriaceae family, and could be pathogen and effective on human hygiene.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis is a major health problem in many parts of Iran and its main foci are in various parts of the country. This study was carried out with the intention of examining the species composition of the possible disease reservoirs in the cutaneous leishmaniasis focus in the selected villages of central county of Qom province. Study was done as a descriptive, cross-sectional study on rodents (possible leishmaniasis reservoirs) in the selected rural areas of Qomrood and Ghanavat located in central parts of Qom province in 2010. In this research, a total of 46 small rodents were hunted by live traps from 5 selected villages. A Smear prepared from auricle or suspicious lesions on skin, and after Giemsa staining, the smears were examined for the presence of leishman’s bodies. After extracting DNA from positive smears, PCR technique was exploited to determine the parasite species. A total 46 small mammals were hunted and identified by the authentic keys. They included 31 rodents (67.4%) were Meriones libycus, 8 (17.4%) Allactaga elater, 4 (8.7%) Mus musculus, 2 (4.3%) Nesokia indica and one (2.7%) Hemiechinus auritus. The results of PCR demonstrated that 3.7% of M. libycus rodents were infected by Leishmania major. The results of this study showed that epidemic cutaneous leishmaniasis in the central county of Qom province was zoonotic and its reservoir was species of rodents. Therefore, determining disease type and its reservoir can help health care authorities to adopt appropriate strategies for prevention and control of the disease in this area.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis is a health problem in many areas of Iran. Cutaneous leishmaniasisis reported mostly in the central county of Qom province، including Ghanavat and Qomrood villages. This study was done to identify parasite species in human and rodents in order to illustrate the epidemiologic picture of the disease and provide an appropriate control program in 2010 This cross-sectional study was done on microscopic smears of 45 human samples and rodents samples hunted around Ghanavat and Qomrood villages in the central county of Qom province in 2010. In total،15 human samples and one hunted rodent sample were positive. In this study،the DNA of the parasites were extracted from the slides and analyzed by Leishmania specific premiers using ITS1 PCR-amplification (Internal Transcribed Spacer1). PCR (PolymeraseChain Reaction) products were digested by Haelll enzyme. Overall، 15 human samples and one rodent sample from Merioneslibycus species were evaluated by PCR-RFLP (Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism). After electrophoresis، it was demonstrated that the parasite was Leishmaniamajor in both human and rodent species. PCR-RFLP technique is an effective method to determine Leishmania parasite species in Geimsa stained slides from human and rodent reservoirs. One of the advantages of this technique is that it is possible to recognize the pathogen species of Leishmania parasite without gene sequencing. Besides، PCR-RFLP technique is a method of quite high sensitivity and specificity which can identify parasite species in addition to the diagnosis of leishmaniasis within 24 hours.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease transmitted by sand flies and there are foci of disease in different parts in country. In Qom province, the disease is mostly having been reported from the central county, including Ghanavat and Qomrood villages. Regarding the fact that knowing the sand fly species that transmitting leishmaniasis has a key role in the disease control, this study was performed in order to identify the vectors in central county focus of cutaneous leishmaniasis.

The present study was done as a descriptive cross- sectional, in 5 villages of the central county of Qom province in 2010. Sand flies were collected biweekly from indoors and outdoors, using 300 sticky traps. The samples were identified with credible keys after slide preparation. In order to identify the disease vector, 150 P. papatasi, 20 P. sergenti and 10 P.caucasicus sand flies were selected and The DNA of sand flies are extracted. The extracted DNA analyzed by Leishmania specific premiers using ITS1 PCR-amplification. The PCR products were digested by Haelll enzyme.

In total 10246 sand flies (4578 from indoors and 5668 from outdoors) were collected by sticky traps and identified. In conclusion, 10 species of sand flies were recognized in the area (5 from Phlebotomus species and 5 from Sergentomyia species). The L.major infection in three caught P.papatasi out of 180 sand flies recognized. Two of the infected sand flies with unfed and one of them had been semi gravid abdominal status.

According to the results, phlebotomus papatasi which is the vector of the zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis in Iran and around the world is vector of cutaneous leishmaniasis in central county of Qom province.

Introduction &

Cutaneous Leishmaniasis is caused by obligatory intracellular parasite of genus Lieshmania. The disease is reported from more than half of Iran's provinces. Various species of sand flies are vector of the disease. Determination of vectors and gaining knowledge about them are important for devising of control program.

This survey was performed as a cross-sectional study in order to determine the vector(s) of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Damghan district during 2008-2009. Sand flies were collected from indoors and outdoors by sticky traps twice in month from April to November. Head and last abdominal segments of the samples were removed and mounted in a drop of Puri’s medium and identified. The rest of the sand flie's bodies was subjected to DNA extraction for molecular detection of Leishmania parasite by Nested PCR using specific primers of minicircle kinetoplast DNA

Totally, 6110 sand flies in 8 species were collected. P. papatasi had high density (46.7%). Examination of 280 female sand flies by Nested PCR showed that 28 sand flies (10%)include 24 specimens P.papatasi (85.7%) and 4 specimens P.caucasicus(14.3%)were found naturally infected with L.major. The highest rate of infected sandflies were observed in rodents burrow (42.9%). Maximum rate of sand fly infection was in September (89.3%).

With respect to high density of P.papatasi and isolation of L.major from it, this species was the main vector of the disease. Detection of L.major from P.caucasicus shows that this species was the secondary vector in rodent burrow. The highest rate of sand leis infected was in September, so personal protection in this month is very important and necessary. Regarding to the high density of vectors and high infection rate of them taking actions to decrease the sand fly abundance and prevention of human biting are suggested.

Malaria is one of the most important health problems in developing countries. Malaria is endemic in southeast of Iran including Chabahar Township. One of the malaria vectors in Iran is Anopheles Fluviatilis James as other part of world, which is a complex of at least three cryptic species provisionally, designated as species S, T, and U. These species are morphologically indistinguishable, but can be identified by examination of species-specific fixed inversions in the polytene chromosomes. The aim of this study was to identify species composition of An. Fluviatilis complex using sequence analysis of D3 and ITS2 loci. Specimens were captured using the methods of total catch, pit shelter, and human/animal night bite. The extraction of DNA was done. We then analyzed the sequence variation of the two loci of 28S D3- and ITS2-rDNA. Identification by phylogenetic trees and comparison of sequences with entries available in Gene Bank were carried out. We determined, in this study, both ITS2 and D3 loci and produced 514 bp and 376 bp bands. Sequence analysis of ITS2 region revealed that the specimens of Chabahar district were match to the Y and T2 haplotypes of the complex, both identical with An. Fluviatilis T. Furthermore, D3 sequencing determined that U species is also present in Chabahar district. The present study revealed the presence of An. Fluviatilis U which is a new species in Iran. So precaution needs to be taken before generalization of results of an area to other areas. The results could help malaria vector control program.

Zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) is a parasitological disease transmitted by female sand flies. There are several endemic foci of disease in different parts of Iran. The disease is mostly reported from central part of Qom Province including the villages Ghanavat and Qomrood. It is clear that knowledge on sand flies ecologyhas the main role in planning the control of cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL). This study was carried out to determinecutaneous leishmaniasis vectors in Gomrood district of Qom provincein 2009. The present study was a descriptive, cross-sectional one conducted on sand flies (the leishmaiosis vectors). It was carried out in Qomrood area of central district of Qom province during 2009. Sand flies were collected biweekly from indoors (bed rooms, stables, etc.) and outdoors-rodent burrows of three villages in Gomrood district, using 180 sticky traps (castor oil coated white paper 20 x 32 cm) from the beginning (May) to the end (November) of the active season. For species identification, sand flies were mounted in Puri’s medium and identified after 24 hours using the keys of Theodor and Mesghali (1964). A total of 10252 adult sand flies (4578 from indoors and 5674 from outdoors) were collected and identified during May and November 2009. The following seven species were found in indoors: Phlebotomuspapatasi (86.1%), p. salehi (0/021%), P. sergenti (1/74%), p. caucasicus (1/26%), p. alexandri(0/24%), Sergentomyiasintoni (10/35%) and S. theodori(0/26%). The collected species of oudoors were Phlebotomuspapatasi (54/67%), P. sergenti (0/35%), p. alexandri(0/035%), S. sintoni (44/02%) S. dentata (0/21%) S. clydei (0/19%), S. theodori (0/46%) and S. pawlowski (0/05%). The most common sand flies in indoors and outdoors resting places were P. papatasi and S. sintoni. P. salehi was the lowest collected species in Gomrood district. The active peaks of sand flies were observed in late May and late August. The sex ratio i.e. number of males/100 females of P. papatasi was calculated to be 241.5 and 307.3 in indoors and rodent burrows, respectively. Our entomological survey showed that P. papatasi was the dominant species in indoors and outdoors. It seems this species can be probable vector for ZCL in the study area. Nevertheless, it is necessary that more studies are suggested (specially using molecular methods) in order to determinethe proven vector (s).

Cutaneous leishmaniases with two forms of rural and urban is the endemic diseases and as a health problem in our country. Identification of parasite species and type of disease is very important for treatment of disease as well as for planning of control program. The microscopic observations by Giemsa-stained smears is the most common laboratory test for the diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis, but the determination of parasite species is impossible and utilization of other ways such as biochemical and molecular methods is required. This study was carried out to determine the parasite species caused cutaneous Leishmaniasis by Nested PCR in Damghan, Iran.

This descriptive study was performed on 67 patients with dermal lesions that referred to Damghan health center laboratory in Iran during 2008. The patient's information were recorded in questionnaire. DNA of Giemsa-stained slides from patients was extracted and evaluated by specific primers of kinetoplast DNA using Nested PCR.

Leishmania parasites were observed in 57 patients under light microscope. The 10 patients were infected by other dermal diseases. The PCR result showed the parasite presence in lesions of 57 patients is Leismania major. 54% of patients were male and 46% were female. 72% of the patients were lived in rural areas. 50.9% of disease was observed in over 25 years old patients. Hands were the most common region of ulcer (44.7%). 48% of the patients had one ulcer and the other patients had two or more ulcers. High prevalence (31.6%) of disease was observed in October.

This study showed that zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis to be prevalent in this area and Nested PCR method is a sensitive and accurate to leishmania species characterization.

Malaria is endemic in southeastern Iran including Jiroft district and in favorite epidemiological condition could threaten the people health. Anopheles fluviatilis complex is a malaria vector in Iran and consists of three species of S, T, and U and 7 genotypes of S, U, T1, T2, Y, X and V which are different in vectorial capacity. The aim of this study was to identify species composition of An.fluviatilis complex using D3 and ITS2 sequences in Jiroft district. Mosquitoes of An. fluviatilis have been captured using total catch, pit shelter, and human/animal night baits. PCR amplification was done against the 28S D3 and ITS2-rDNA and the products were sequenced. The specimens were identified to species and genotype level using phylogenetic trees and comparison of sequences with entries available in GenBank. Both ITS2 and D3 loci were successfully amplified and produced 514 bp and 376 bp bands respectively. Sequence analysis of ITS2 and D3 regions revealed that the specimens of Jiroft district were matching to the Y and T2 haplotypes of species T of the complex. Anopheles fluviatilis T is the only species in the region and based on the previous studies can be incrim inated as the main malaria vector in the region.

L.turanica is isolated from Phlebotomus Papatasi and rodents, and its pathogenetic role in humans is not clear yet. This study aimed at determining the infection of sand flies to L.turanica in rural parts of Damghan. Sand flies were collected by sticky papers. After the identification of female specimens, their DNA was extracted and Conventional PCR technique using specific primers of ITS1 was used to search for L.turanica. Products of PCR were sequenced and analyzed with Blast software. Two hundred and eighteen specimens of female P.papatasi were examined for Leishmania infection. One out of 218 females (0.5%) was positive to L.turanica. This is the first report of natural infection of P.papatasi due L.turanica in Semnan Province and the second in Iran. Pathogenesis of L.turanica is not clear on human, but, this parasite is pathogenic in laboratory mice. Furthermore, mix synchronized infection of rodents to L.major and L.turanica aggravates pathogenetic effect of L.major. Immunity of some people to Cutaneous Leishmanianisis in endemic areas can be due to the exposure to L.turanica and this can be a suitable candidate for vaccine investigations against cutaneous leishmaniasis.

Introduction & Leishmaniasis is one of the most important infectious diseases in the world. This disease is reported from more than 15 provinces of Iran as a health problem. Identification of reservoirs and characterization of parasite species in patients is very important for identifying the epidemiological aspects of disease and planning for control program This survey was performed as a descriptive study by PCR-RFLP method in Damghan district. Study was carried out on giemsa-stained smears from cases of leishmaniasis and rodents which collected in infected villages that leishmanal infection was confirmed by microscopic observations. DNA of giemsa-stained slides was extracted and followed by conventional PCR technique using specific primers of ITS1. PCR products were digested with a restriction enzyme (HaeIII). Totally 25 smears from human skin lesions and 8 rodent ear scrapings were examined by PCR. Electrophoresis results showed that leishmania major was present in patients and rodents giemsa-stained slides. PCR-RFLP is an effective method to identify leishmania species from giemsa-stained smears which have been collected from humans and animal reservoirs. Using this method identification of causative species of leishmaniasis is possible without sequencing.

Shiraz district is one of the important foci of urban and rural cutaneous leishmaniasis in Iran and any precise study wasn’t carry out in relation to sand flies fauna in this district. The purpose of this study, investigation and determination of probable vectors of the urban and rural cutaneous leishmaniasis had been in this district. This study is a descriptive study. The sand flies were collected by sticky trap in June, July and September of 2007 in various local of Shiraz city and villages around of Shiraz city. The preyed sand flies were identified by Nadim & Javadian key. From 1322 collected sand flies, one sub genus from Sergentomyia genus (Grassomyia spp) and 10 species consist of 3 species of dependent on Phlebotomus genus (P. papatasi, P. tobbi, P. sergenti) and 7 species of dependent on Sergentomyia genus were identified. P. papatasi in 8 regions, P. sergenti in 2 regions and S. sintoni in 1 region from 11 investigated regions were determined as predominant species. P. papatasi was predominant in outskirt of Shiraz and it’s around villages that this is implicating the existence of P. papatasi as the probable vector of rural cutaneous leishmaniasis and P. sergenti was predominant in urbanite regions of Shiraz city that this is implicating the existence of P. sergenti as the probable vector of urban cutaneous leishmaniasis in these regions. In order to determine of principal vectors of urban and rural cutaneous leishmaniasis, this need to molecular surveys of vectors.

Visceral Leishmaniasis or Kala-azar is an important infectious disease in northwestern Iran. Members of the Leishmania donovani complex, L. donovani and L.infantum, are the two main parasites causing the disease in the world. In this study immunophenotype characters such as N-glycosylation, and T-cell and B-Cell epitopes of CPB gene was evaluated in the Leishmania parasites isolated from sandflies of the region. Partial of the CPB (702-741 bp) of Leishmania parasites was amplified and sequenced and used for bioinformatics analysis such as test three dimensional (3D) protein structure, N-glycosylation, and T-cell and B-Cell epitopes. In 7 out of 3477 sand flies there was a positive PCR test for systeine protease B, gene. Also according to findings of this study, both agents of kala-azar L. donovani and L. infantum were bing transfered by sand flies of Phlbtomus perfiliewi transcaucasicus in North West Iran. DNA analysis of the CPB gene showed a cytosine insertion at 5’ end of the proofreading frame of the gene resulted in a stop codon (TGA) seven AA further down and hence translation is halted. This caused a short amino acid chain with only 76 AA much shorter than normal CPB peptide with 234-247 AA. This mutation has not been found in the L.infantum strain resulted in a normal CPB peptide. AA analysis showed no N-glycosylation site, T-cell and B-Cell epitopes on the short peptide of the L. donovani strain. This is the shortest CPB peptide chain reported for the L. donovani complex in the literature. This short peptide could have an effect on host-parasite and vector-parasite interactions. Since the CPBs genes have important implication on host–parasite and play key roles in infection and expression of the disease, further studies on the L. donovani parasite and its diminutive peptide necessitate to improve our understanding about the epidemiology of visceral leishmaniasis in Iran.

Zoonotic cutaneous leishmanianisis is one of most important health problem in the world and the disease has been reported from more than 88 countries with 350 million people at the risk of it. The disease has been widespread in several parts of islamic republic of Iran. Sand flies (phlebotominae) are the vectors of the disease that transmit of parasites from the infected rodents to human. Knowledge on ecology of Sand flies can help us to design of disease control program. Determine of fauna and monthlyonthly activity of Sand flies was the main objects of this study.

This survey was performed as an experimental and practical study. It was carried out in Damghan district of Semnan province during 2008. Sand flies were collected from indoors and outdoors using sticky traps twice in month from early April to late November.

Totally 6110 sand flies (6 species of Phlebotomus and 2 species of Sergentomyia) were collected and identified from indoors (2146) and outdoors (3964). Activity of sand flies were started in April and ended in October with two peaks in May and September. The dominant species were Phlebotomus papatasi.

High density of Phlebotomus papatasi as the dominant specimen indicates that, this species can be the main vector of disease. Collection of P. caucasicus, P.mongolensis and P. ansarii from rodent burrow show that they can play as the secondary role to transmitting of disease among rodent reservoirs. Dissection of sand flies for finding of parasites and following of them by molecular methods is necessary to confirmation of proven vector(s). Control of rodents, environmental sanitary as well as personal protections and insecticide impregnated bed nets was suggested to prevention of disease.

Relapsing fever caused by Borrelia persica is an acute tick-borne disease which is transmitted by soft ticks of Ornithodoros tholozani to human. The disease is reported from Middle East and many regions of Iran. Detection of infection is problematic since the suspected infected ticks should be fed on animal hosts such as guinea pigs and subsequently after 7-14 days, the animal blood should be microscopically investigated for Borellia spirochetes on a Giemsa stainined thick smear. This classic method named xenodiagnosis is hard, time consuming, and less reliable. In this study, the application of PCR technique has been examined for detection of Borellia persica in soft ticks of O. tholozani. Tick specimens were collected from northwestern Iran and were fed on Borellia persica infected guinea pigs. DNA of the animal blood were extracted and used as target for PCR amplification of 16rDNA gene. Subsequently the products were subjected to sequencing. The effect of tick sex and post digestion as well as the minimum number of spirochetes on the efficiency of PCR were also tested. The xenodiagnosis assay was able to detect infection in only 13.3% of the tick-bitten animal bloods whereas all of these blood specimens were PCR positive against the 16rDNA gene. There wasno difference in results of PCR for male and female of the ticks. Post digestion of infected blood meal in ticks did not affect the efficacy of PCR and the recently-fed samples showed similar results to those of completely gravid ones. A test on the threshold sensitivity of PCR assay indicated that only one spirochete is enough for the primers to anneal and to amplify the target gene. This study describes the first molecular assay for diagnosis of B. persica infected ticks in Iran and due to its high speed, accuracy, and applicability is a substitution method for diagnostic purposes in TBRF foci.

leishmaniasis is a Zoonotic disease that is transmited by sandfly to human. This study were carried out in order to demonstrate some ecological characters of leishmaniasis vectors in Kalaleh district, Golestan province, Iran, during 2006-07. In present study 6 villages were selected. Sandfly were collected by sticky traps. 3 places were sampled in each village and in each places 20 traps were installed. After sampling collection, we used diagnostic criteria to identify the Sandflies, also confirmed human cases were recorded according to the months of identification. 4900 sandflies were detected in 6 villages and 12 species of sandflies were identified, which including P.papatasi, P.mongolensis, P.caucasicus, P.caucasicus group, P.sergenti, P.alexandri, P.kazeroni, P.brevis, P.(adlerius) sp, S.sintoni, S.clydei, S.sogdiana). P.papatasi was predominant species in indoor places (46.1%) and S.sintoni was in outdoor places (36.7%). Sandflies activities extended from early May through mid October with two peaks in mid June and September. Human infection had a important peak in January. During the collection of sandflies, the species of P.alexandri, P.kazeroni, P.brevis, P.(Adlerius sp.), S.clydei and S.sogdiana were collected for the first time from this area. In this study, P.papatasi was the predominant species in this area. Sandflies second activity peak occured in September that is crucial for transmission of disease. The incubation period for this disease was four months.