hossein keshavarz

Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular parasite capable of crossing the placenta in pregnancy and infecting the developing fetus, leading to various congenital anomalies and even abortion. Acute Toxoplasma infection is responsible for almost all cases of congenital toxoplasmosis in immunocompetent pregnant women. Prenatal screening for acute toxoplasmosis primarily involves maternal serology and fetal ultrasound imaging. When serological or ultrasound findings suggest acute infection, further diagnostic tests are necessary to confirm fetal infection. Currently, molecular methods to detect the parasite’s DNA, including polymerase chain reaction-based methods, on amniotic fluid are the gold standard tests for the diagnosis of congenital toxoplasmosis. In this review, we aim to discuss various aspects of screening and diagnostic methods for toxoplasmosis in pregnancy, including (i) current serological assays, screening approaches, and future perspectives; (ii) the role of imaging techniques, with an emphasis on ultrasound; (iii) principles and recent advances in diagnostic molecular methods; (iv) emerging techniques, such as point-of-care-based tests and biosensors, and microRNAs as novel biomarkers of acute infection; and (v) an overview of screening programs in different countries, important epidemiological determinants, and recommendations for Toxoplasma screening health policies.

Malaria, a life-threatening disease caused by Plasmodium parasites, continues to be a major global health concern. The emergence of drug-resistant strains of Plasmodium highlights the urgent need for new antimalarial agents.

This study aimed to evaluate the antimalarial activity of hydroalcoholic extracts obtained from Artemisia persica and Artemisia spicigera against Plasmodium berghei in albino mice.

In this study, the hydroalcoholic extracts of the aerial parts of A. spicigera and A. persica were investigated for their effects on parasitemia in mice. Fifty mice were randomly divided into two categories with five groups, with each group receiving either the extract of A. spicigera, A. persica, or a control treatment.

Both extracts of A. persica and A. spicigera inhibited parasitemia on average by 75% and 83.5%, respectively. There was a significant increase in parasitemia at 150 mg/kg of A. persica compared with the negative control group on day 4 (P<0.05). Significant internment of parasitemia was illustrated at 75 mg/kg of A. spicigera in comparison to the negative control group on day 4 (P<0.05).

The findings elucidated that hydroalcoholic extracts of A. persica and A. spicigera plants have the antiplasmodial action to suppress P. berghei infection in mice.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a parasitic disease that presents a broad spectrum of clinical features. Treatment of CL is problematic. We aimed to compare the field therapeutic efficacy of topical nanoliposomes containing 0.4% amphotericin B (Nano Lip-AmB) alone and in combination with cryotherapy and/or Glucantime® on human CL in the endemic areas of Iran.

This retrospective study was performed based on the results of using Nano Lip-AmB alone or with Glucantime® and/or cryotherapy in the treatment of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) in patients referred to health centers of Isfahan, Golestan and Ilam Provinces of Iran as endemic foci of ZCL caused by Leishmania major besides Mashhad and Bam cities as endemic foci of anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) caused by with L. tropica.

Two hundred and seventy-eight patients with CL were included in the current study. All of the patients (100%) who received Nano Lip-AmB alone or in combination with Glucantime® and/or cryotherapy based on guideline of Iranian national committee for the treatment of CL. Two patients with 7 skin lesions, who was resident in ACL endemic area and received Nano Lip-AmB plus Glucantime® and another patient was a resident of ZCL endemic area and received Nano Lip-AmB plus cryotherapy showed clinical relapses after treatment.

Sina Ampholeish® in combination with other standard protocols of treatment of CL is well tolerated and with acceptable clinical efficacy rate.

Toxoplasma gondii infects nearly one-third of the world's population. Due to the significant side effects of current treatment options, identifying safe and effective therapies seems crucial. Nanoparticles (NPs) are new promising compounds in treating pathogenic organisms. Currently, no research has investigated the effects of zinc oxide NPs (ZnO-NPs) on Toxoplasma parasite. We aimed to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of ZnO-NPs against tachyzoite forms of T. gondii, RH strain in BALB/c mice.

In an experiment with 35 female BALB/c mice infected with T. gondii tachyzoites, colloidal ZnO-NPs at concentrations of 10, 20, and 50 ppm, as well as a 50 ppm ZnO solution and a control group, were orally administered four hours after inoculation and continued daily until the mices’ death. Survival rates were calculated and tachyzoite counts were evaluated in the peritoneal fluids of infected mice.

The administration of ZnO-NPs resulted in the reduction of tachyzoite counts in infected mice compared to both the ZnO-treated and control group (P<0.001). Intervention with ZnO-NPs significantly increased the survival time compared to the control group (6.2±0.28 days, P-value <0.05), additionally, the highest dose of ZnO-NPs (50 ppm) showed the highest mice survival time (8.7±0.42 days).

ZnO-NPs were effective in decreasing the number of tachyzoites and increasing mice survival time in vivo. Moreover, there were no significant differences in survival time between the untreated control group and the group treated with zinc oxide, suggesting that, bulk ZnO is not significantly effective in comparison with ZnONPs.

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is one of the most important neglected tropical diseases. The zoonotic form of VL is endemic in some areas of Iran. We aimed to determine the status of VL identified in humans and canines in different parts of Iran from 2013 to 2022.

A national representative cross-sectional study was conducted in 10 provinces of Iran, including the national leishmaniasis reference lab. We employed the direct agglutination test (DAT) as a reliable serological method to detect anti-Leishmania infantum antibodies in humans and animal reservoir hosts. Additionally, a narrative literature review was conducted to identify relevant studies on VL seroprevalence in Iran from 2013 to 2023.

The results of 21281 human and 5610 canine serum samples from 2013 to 2022 are reported. Altogether, 448 (2.1%, 95%CI: 2.0-2.3) human serum samples showed anti-L. infantum antibody levels of ≥1:3200. Of these samples, 13716 (64.5%) were collected actively, which showed a seroprevalence of 0.6% (95% CI: 0.5-0.8) and 7565 (35.5%) were collected passively, which showed a seroprevalence of 4.8% (95%CI: 4.3-5.3). Overall, 1035 (20.1%, 95%CI: 19.0-21.2) of 5160 domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) samples showed anti-L. infantum antibody levels of ≥1:320. Northwest (2.8%) and northeast (0.96%) regions had the highest human VL seroprevalence, while northwest (21.5%) and south (14.4%) regions had the highest canine VL seroprevalence.

Zoonotic VL, an endemic parasitic disease, is still present in several different distinct areas across Iran. While human VL cases have shown a declining trend over the last decade, the prevalence of canine VL remains significant.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is an endemic infection in the Middle East, including Iran that is also spreading to new foci. We aimed to determine the leishmaniasis species causing CL in Alborz province.

Overall, out of 55-suspected CL patients referred to health centers in Alborz Province, north central Iran in 2019, 40 patients had positive smear for CL based on optical microscopy. The internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) of nuclear ribosomal DNA (rDNA) was amplified by PCR. Leishmania species were identified by PCR–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) using BshF I (Hae III) enzyme.

Out of the 40 positive patients with CL, 34 cases (85%) had been caused by Leishmania (L) major and six (15%) by L. tropica. Fifteen patients had no history of traveling to the disease endemic areas, of which nine were Iranians. Skin lesions and scars caused by CL were mostly observed on the hands and face. Moreover, more than two skin lesions were observed in 22 cases (55%), all of which were infected with L. major. A single skin ulcer was seen in 18 (45%) of the CL patients.

Climate change, reduced rainfall, and demographic changes such as migration into Alborz Province and the increasing marginalization of the population and their entry to settle in new areas might have caused natural transmission of both L. tropica and L. major in this province.

Currently, there are conflicting reports on the associations between Toxoplasma gondii infection and multiple sclerosis (MS) in humans. In the present study, a case–control study was carried out to assess associations between seropositivity to T. gondii infection and MS.

This case-control study was carried out on 200 MS patients (cases) attended in Sina Hospital affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, and 200 healthy subjects from the general population of the same city, March to July 2017. Blood samples were collected from individuals and were examined using Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the presence of T. gondii IgG antibodies and the IgG-positive samples were further analyzed for specific anti-T. gondii IgM.

The overall seroprevalence of anti-T. gondii IgG was 44.2% (177/400) in 121 (60.5%) sera of the 200 MS patients (cases) and 56 (28.0%) sera of the 200 controls (OR = 3.94; 95% CI: 2.59–5.99; P < 0.001). Seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in MS patients increased significantly with increasing of age (P < 0.001). In the control group, no statistically significant differences were seen between the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in various age groups (P = 0.858). Moreover, no statistically significant relationships were reported between the seropositivity to T. gondii and the sex for the cases and controls (P>0.05). Anti-T. gondii IgM antibodies were not detected in anti-T. gondii IgG positive patients.

T. gondii infection might be a probability risk factor for MS. However, further studies are necessary to describe clearly the roles of T. gondii infection in MS.

Toxoplasma gondii infection (toxoplasmosis) has the potential to cause a serious disease in immunocompromised patients and can be fatal in this population. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess comprehensively the pooled seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis among immunocompromised patients including HIV/AIDS patients, cancer patients, and transplant recipients in Iran.

PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, and Google Scholar databases (international) and Scientific Information Database (SID), Magiran, IranMedex, and IranDoc databases (national) were systematically searched for all reports that possibly contained data for T. gondii prevalence in different immunocompromised populations in Iran between 2013 and 2022.

Overall, IgG seroprevalence rate of toxoplasmosis in Iranian immunocompromised patients was 45.1% (95% confidence interval (CI), 37.4–52.9). IgG seroprevalence rate of toxoplasmosis in 12 studies that included 2279 cancer patients, 19 studies that included 2565 HIV/AIDS patients and in 3 studies that included 200 transplant recipients was 43.6% (95% CI, 30.2–57.0), 45.9% (95% CI, 34.8–57.1) and 45.8% (95% CI, 32.5–59.0), respectively. Moreover, IgM seroprevalence rate in the 26 studies was 2.6% (95% CI, 1.4–3.7).

Our findings represent a high seroprevalence rate of Toxoplasma IgG among immunocompromised patients. Health improvement and education toward prevention of toxoplasmosis is of great importance for these susceptible populations.

Toxoplasma gondii is a neuroinvasive protozoa pathogen that could manipulate its intermediate host's behavior. However, the possible link between T. gondii infection and the development of neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s disease (PD) has been proposed, we tested the hypothesis that in chronic toxoplasmosis neuroinflammation, and molecular mediators potentiate behavioral-cognitive impairments in BALB/c mice with PD.

To establish chronic toxoplasmosis by Tehran strain, cysts of T. gondii were injected intraperitoneally into BALB/c mice in Kerman, Iran in 2019. To induce the PD model, mice (BALB/c) were treated with Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). The behavioral experiments such as anxiety and motor coordination were performed using the Open field and Rotarod tests. Additionally, we investigated the contribution of Toxoplasma-induced neuroinflammation, and behavioral-cognitive impairments in the PD mice model.

Chronic toxoplasmosis caused PD-like symptoms and induced various behavioral changes in infected BALB/c mice. In T. gondii infected+MPTP treated group, T. gondii infection could potentiate PD in infected mice receiving MPTP and caused remarkable dysfunction in motor coordination and change in anxiety and depression-like behaviors similar or more severe than PD group.

Chronic T. gondii infection exacerbates pathological progression of PD in BALB/c mice brain by promoting neuroinflammation, and behavioral changes establishing.

One of the main obstacles to malaria control in the world has been the emergence of resistance in Plasmodium falciparum to chloroquine and other anti-malarial drugs. This study aimed to review studies in Iran on resistance in P. falciparum and P. vivax to drugs, and to reveal the mechanisms and molecular markers of resistance of these two species.

The databases of PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, Magiran, and reputable Iranian journals were searched to find published studies on the resistance in P. falciparum and P. vivax to antimalarial drugs in Iran.

There is a significant relationship between resistance to chloroquine in P. falciparum and the emergence of K76T mutation in the P. falciparum chloroquine-resistance transporter gene in Iran. Resistance to sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) in P. falciparum is also significantly associated with the development of mutations in the dihydrofolate reductase and dihydropteroate synthase genes. Resistance to chloroquine in P. vivax has not been reported in Iran and it is used as a first-line treatment for P. vivax malaria.

P. falciparum has become resistant to chloroquine in different regions of Iran and is not currently used to treat malaria. Besides, cases have emerged of P. falciparum resistance to SP in different parts of southern Iran, and SP is not administered alone for treating P. falciparum.

Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) described as an essential immunodeficiency problem of phagocytic cells resulting in a phagocyte dysfunction and inability to kill a spectrum of bacteria and fungi. Despite the fact that CGD patients are more susceptible to intracellular infections, visceral leishmaniasis has been reported rarely in these cases. Here, we report an uncommon case of visceral leishmaniasis in a child with CGD. An 8-yr old boy with CGD presented to the infectious disease ward, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran after the onset of 20 days fever with chronic crusted ulcer approximately 3 cm × 3cm on the left upper limb and a small ulcer measuring 0.5 cm × 0.5 cm on the right knee with moderate secretion. Bone Marrow Aspiration (BMA) and Bone Marrow Biopsies (BMB) of fragmented samples were performed and polymorphic population of hematopoietic cells, Megakaryocytes and Leishman bodies were seen. The patient was treated with meglumine antimoniate (Glucantime®) 20 mg/kg for 28 days and after partial improvement patient discharged and continue the treatment at home. Amphotericin B lipid complex (Ambisome®) (3–5 mg/kg per dose once) was administered every 3 -4 weeks for 18 months as secondary prophylaxis that was well tolerated and effective.

Pathogenic intestinal protozoa are considered as a serious public health problem in developing countries. This study aimed to elucidate the overall prevalence and spatial distribution of three common human pathogenic intestinal protozoan infections in Iran.

Six English and Persian databases were explored for published papers on the prevalence of Entamoeba histolytica/dispar, Giardia lamblia, and Cryptosporidium spp. in the general population of Iran from 2000 to 2015. All eligible data were collected using a pre-designed data extraction form, and the overall prevalence was estimated using a random-effects meta-analysis model. We used ArcMap for mapping the prevalence of the studied protozoa and clustering analysis.

Altogether, 118 eligible papers from 24 provinces of Iran were included and analyzed. The weighted prevalence of E. histolytica/dispar, G. lamblia, and Cryptosporidium spp. infection among Iranian general population were calculated 1.3% (95% CI 1.1-1.5%), 10.6% (95% CI 9.6-11.5%) and 2% (95% CI 1.5-2.5%), respectively.

Our findings indicated human intestinal protozoan infections caused by E. histolytica/dispar, G. lamblia, and Cryptosporidium spp. have still public health importance in some parts of Iran.

Mediterranean form of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is endemic among some provinces of Iran. The pre sent study was designed to determine the prevalence of canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) in the owned dogs of the rural areas of Alborz Province near Tehran as the capital of Iran.

This study conducted on 303 owned dogs that selected using a stratified random sampling method. The direct agglutination test (DAT) was used to determine the frequency of Vl. The spleen biopsy was taken from the serology-positive dogs for the confirmation of CVL in the suspected dogs. Nested PCR and sequencing methods were used to determine the type of Leishmania species in the dogs which were parasitological positive.

Overall, the DAT results of 9 dogs (2.97%, CI: 1.57–5.55) showed anti Leishmania antibodies at titers ≥ 1:320 indicating VL infection. One dog (0.33%, CI 95%: 0.06–1.85) showed clinical signs and symptoms of VL. There was a significant correlation between the positive cases of CVL and rural area (p< 0.001). The Leishmania was observed in the impression smears that were prepared from spleen biopsy of five the studied dogs. Leishmania infantum were con firmed in all them using nested–PCR assay. The sequence analysis of all five isolates was 95% similar to L. infantum.

This study shows that domestic cycle of L. infantum has been established in rural areas of Alborz province where located near Tehran as capital city of Iran. It is necessary to increase the awareness and monitoring of the disease periodically.

Adolescence is one of the most sensitive age groups in the history of identity formation and education. Girls are much more vulnerable to social issues, given their intrinsic morale. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of Lazarus multimodal education on responsibility, emotional expressions and psychological integrity in self-harm students in Mashhad.

The present study was conducted using a short clinical interview based on DSM-5 conducted by a psychologist. To collect the research data, the Emotional Expressionist styles Questionnaire (EEQ), the Responsibility Scale, the California Psychological Questionnaire (CPI), and the Sense of Coherence Questionnaire were used. The statistical population consisted of all high school self-harm students in Mashhad, who were studying in 2016 (90 people).

The results of this research based on multivariate covariance analysis showed that Lazarus multimodal treatment significantly increased the sense of psychological integrity and responsibility and improved emotional expression styles in students with self-harm disorder.

This therapy approach to self-harm is a form of excitement that results from the balance of internal factors of environment and neuro / hormonal processes, and leaves people free from self-harm.

Malaria is one of the most important transfusion-transmitted infections (TTIs) worldwide. To prevent the occurrence of transfusion-transmitted malaria (TTM), potential blood donors with a history of malaria or travel to, or residence in, malarious areas are permanently or temporarily deferred from donating blood. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the blood donor deferrals for malaria in Iran.

This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the Iranian Blood Transfusion Organization (IBTO) from 21 Mar 2011 to 19 Mar 2016 (5 yr). The data were collected and extracted from IBTO comprehensive database, namely Negareh, and then recorded in a structured template form. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS.

Of the 12,790,859 blood donation volunteers, 23,084 (0.18%) were deferred due to the risk of malaria. More than 90% of malaria-deferrals were because of travel to and residence in malaria endemic areas. Among the malaria-deferred volunteers, 22,139 (95.91%) were male and 945 (4.09%) were female; 2,053 (8.89%) were permanently deferred, while 21,031 (91.11%) were temporarily deferred. The highest malaria-deferral rates were observed in South Khorasan (0.82%), Razavi Khorasan (0.79%) and Yazd (0.54%) provinces, respectively.

Given the prevalence of malaria in neighboring countries (Pakistan and Afghanistan) and several provinces of Iran and the increasing human migration and movement between malaria non-endemic and endemic areas, the malaria-deferral rate might be higher than 0.18% in Iran. Thus, the changing, as well as the precise and accurate implementation of donor selection process must be considered in all blood transfusion centers of Iran.

The present study aimed to investigate the Effectiveness of Combining two reality therapy and logo therapy approaches on quality of life and Psychological Adjustment of Female Householders. This research is a semi-experimental with pre-test and post-test with unequal control group. The research community consisted of all women householders covered by the Relief Committee of Mashhad who have been referred to the advisory committee of the Relief Committee in 1395. The sampling method was convenient sampling and the sample size was 30, and data was collected using questionnaires including World Health Organization Quality of Life and Psychological Adjustment Assessment Questionnaire (Adult Form) and consequently data were analyzed by 18 spss software. Results showed that, the mean scores of quality of life and psychological adjustment in the post test of the experimental group were significantly higher than the mean scores of post-test in the control group, while the findings of the covariance test showed that the difference between the pre-test and the post-test was significant. Therefore, it can be concluded that the combination and integration of therapeutic approaches related to clients' problems increases the effectiveness of treatment. Also, it was shown that the combination of  logo therapy and reality therapy the quality the life and psychological adjustment in female householders.

Toxoplasmosis is an infectious disease caused by the coccidian protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii. The infection is life-threatening in congenital form because of transmission of the parasite from mother to fetus. In order to investigate the prevalence of congenital toxoplasmosis, the present study was performed for detection of IgG and IgM antibodies in cord blood samples of newborns by ELISA method in Tehran, Iran. This cross-sectional survey was carried out on 1000 cord blood samples collected from Shahid Mostafa Khomeini Hospital in Tehran, Iran in 2015. Sera were separated and evaluated for the presence of IgG and IgM antibodies against T. gondii by ELISA method. At the same time, whole cord blood samples were stored at -20 °C for complementary PCR test. From 1000 cord blood serum samples 198 cases (19.8%) were positive for anti T. gondii IgG antibody. IgG positive samples were examined for IgM antibody, among them 1 sample had borderline levels of IgM antibody. PCR was performed for this sample but no positive result was seen. Although congenital toxoplasmosis is of importance, no acute form of infection was seen in pregnant women in this study.

Schema therapy is a psychological treatment available for divorcing women. The present research was carried out with the purpose of studying the effectiveness of schema therapy-based group counseling on the quality of marital relationships, differentiation and hardiness among divorced women of veteran families. This was a quasi-experimental study with a pre-test and post-test design that included a control group. The statistical population of the study consisted of all women seeking divorce whose fathers were war veterans and referred to the consulting center affiliated to the Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans Affairs in Neyshabur in the winter of 2018. Thirty women were enrolled using the available sampling method and then randomly assigned to either an experimental (n=15) or control (n=15) group. Counseling sessions were conducted for 11 sessions for the experimental group (2 hours, one weekly) and the control group did not received any intervention. The women then completed the quality of marriage questionnaire by Bassby, Cran, Larsson, and Kristensen (1995), self-differentiation Scouron and Friedlander (1999) and hardiness (1998). Women applicants for divorce were matched in terms of demographic variables, such as age and length of marriage. Group counseling based on schema therapy had significant effects on differentiation and hardiness of divorced women (P<0.05). However, group counseling with schema therapy had no effect on the marital quality of divorced women (P>0.05).  The effects of treatment were maintained after one month (p <0.05). Group counseling with the schema therapy procedure led to improved differentiation and hardiness of divorced women, and may be useful as a therapeutic intervention to improve the psychosocial situation of female applicants for divorce in relevant settings.

Research shows that the family life of those in military occupations, and the effects of military occupations on marital relationships is considered important. The present research seeks to study the relationship between differentiation of self and early maladaptive schemes with the components of family function in couples of military families residing in Tehran. The research utilized quantitative research methodologies and, based on the purpose, this study was descriptive and correlational. The research population included all married women in military families in Tehran, Iran in 2017, that among whom, 325 married housewives women were selected by non-probability convenience sampling methods after considering inclusion and exclusion criteria. Information gathering tools included Self-differentiation Questionnaire, Family Assessment Device (FAD), Young Schema Questionnaire-Short Form (SQ – SF). Descriptive statistics (average and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (Pearson correlation and multivariate regression analysis) have been used for determining correlation and predictive power between the early maladaptive schemas and differentiation with family functioning. 325 married women housewives were investigated in military families in Tehran with an average age of 46.4 years. The relationship between the components of the early maladaptive schemas and the family functioning components is statistically significant (P<0.01) and also the relationship between differentiation and family functioning components in is statistically significant (P<0.01). It is recommended that families should be more careful about the formation of patterns in childhood so that positive steps can be taken to form a well-functioning family in the future. With regard to the significance of the relationship between differentiation and family function, one can conclude that the mental health of a person depends on the level of separation from this system of governing the family, which is called differentiation, that is, the higher the level of differentiation, the greater the impact on family function and on improvements in mental health in married women in military families.

Vivax malaria is more prevalent in the malarious areas of Iran, which makes vaccine research a high priority. Serine Repeat Antigens (SERA) have essential role in the parasite life cycle and high expression profiles of PvSERA5 make it suitable vaccine candidates. This study aimed to evaluate the genetic diversity of C-terminal region of PvSERA5 in Iranian isolates of Plasmodium vivax in Sistan and Baluchistan. Totally, 49 blood samples were taken from symptomatic malaria patients in Sistan and Baluchistan Province in 2016. Mono-infection to P. vivax was confirmed by 18srRNA-Nested-PCR. Genomic DNA was extracted and C-terminal region of PvSERA5 was amplified by specific primers. PCR-products have been sequenced and analysis was done by using bioinformatics software, mainly DnaSP & MEGA5. Genetic diversity was calculated 14.8% in C-terminal region of PvSERA5 in Iranian isolates, 19 different sequences and 4 haplotypes existed. The amount of Tajima’s D (0.3805) and ratio of non-synonymous to synonymous mutation (1.82) showed that C-terminal region of PvSERA5 is under positive natural selection; also intragenic recombination could interfere. Results could be helpful in any research, regarding this antigen as vaccine candidate in Iran or worldwide.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is one of the world health problems. Leishmania major is the etiological agent of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL). Promastigote and amastigote are two morphological forms of Leishmania parasites that express different proteins and p27 is an important gene encoding cytochrome c oxidase (COX) component. P27 gene expresses a 27 kDa protein that essential in ATP synthesis. This study aimed to compare p27 gene expression in promastigote and amastigote forms in Iranian strain of L. major (MRHO/IR/75/ER).
This study was conducted in 2015. Clinical isolates of CL patients from north, center, west and south parts of Iran were collected and identified by PCR-RFLP. After RNA extraction of promastigotes and amastigotes and cDNA synthesis, the expression level of p27 gene was compared by real-time RT-PCR.
By comparison of expression level between amastigote and promastigote forms of Iranian strain of L. major, up-regulation of p27 gene (2.73 fold) was observed in amastigotes. Moreover, there was no significant difference in p27 gene expression between L. major isolates.
p27 gene and protein can be considered as a target in recombinant vaccine production and treatment process.

Although rigorous efforts have substantially decreased the malaria burden through decades, it still threatens the lives of millions of children. Development of an effective vaccine can provide important approach in malaria control strategies. Unfortunately, development of an effective vaccine for falciparum malaria has been hindered by the extreme complexity of malaria parasite biology, complex and diverse parasite genomes, and immune evasion by the parasites as well as the intricate nature of the parasites infection cycle. The aim of this review was to discuss the different approaches to malaria vaccine development until now.
Scientific databases, including MEDLINE (via PubMed) and SCOPUS were searched up to 30 Jan 2017 and the articles regarding malaria vaccine development were taken into examination.
Several strategies for malaria vaccine development including pre-erythrocytic vaccines, antibody-based subunit vaccines, vectored vaccines, whole sporozoite vaccines, genetically Attenuated parasites and sporozoite subunit vaccine, erythrocytic vaccines, sexual stage vaccine, transmission-blocking vaccine as well as synthetic peptides and conjugate vaccine has been introduced. However, the success has been limited thus far.
Although development of malaria vaccine over the past 70 year has been continued, the discovery, development, and licensing of a malaria vaccine formulation, which meets safety, affordability, accessibility, applicability, and efficacy has not yet been achieved.

Plasmodium vivax is the most prevalent in the malaria endemic areas of Iran. The number of Plasmodium vivax sporozoites that get to the liver remain latent, and after several months or years of inappropriate treatment period, they can reactivate and leads to the clinical manifestation of malaria.
A 49-year-old male was referred to a private clinical center in the capital city of Iran, Tehran, in October 2016 due to fever, chills, nausea, appetite, headache, and weakness. The patient had a history of clinical vivax malaria 1-year prior in Chabahar, in the province of Sistan and Baluchistan. The light microscope and nested PCR were applied for detecting the vivax malaria infection. In this patient, the relapse of P. vivax occurred after about 12 months, following the primary malaria infection.
The report underlines that relapses should be considered in febrile individuals returning from malaria endemic areas of the country to malaria free areas. In addition, it highlights the occurrence of relapse in the patient with history using primaquine for a radical cure of liver latent parasites.