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Background Mustard gas (MG) is one of the most widely used chemical weapons in the past century. However, little information exists concerning long-term mortality from MG exposure. In this study, we investigated mortality rate among civilian people exposed to MG during Iran-Iraq war in Sardasht in Iran after 32 years. Methods In this retrospective cohort study, data of people exposed to MG in Sardasht in 1987 were extracted from the Veterans and Martyr Affair Foundation of Iran up to March 20, 2019. Mortality rate, cumulative mortality and standardized mortality ratio with 95% confidence interval were calculated to explain mortality in the cohort, and then compared with general Iranian population. Cox regression analysis was used to indicate factor affecting the risk of death in the cohort. Results Out of 1,203 exposed people at the beginning of the period, 148 people died by the end of the study, with an average age of 66.42 at the time of death. Total person-years of the people up to end of the study were 38,198.63 and mortality rate was equal to 387 per 100,000 persons-years. Total number of observed deaths was less than expected death and the all-cause standardized mortality ratio (SMR) was determined as 0.680 (95% CI: 0.574 – 0.798). Cause-specific SMR showed that observed death due to respiratory diseases was higher than expected (SMR: 1.75) (95% CI: 1.145 – 2.569). The results of univariate and multivariate cox regression analysis showed that increasing age and having severe late complications in lung were associated with increased risk of death among people in the cohort. Conclusion In general, this result indicated that acute exposure to MG, even without wearing protective clothing and masks, could not increase all-cause mortality after 32 years if accompanied by special and ongoing care for those exposed.

Background:Mustard gas is one of the most widely used chemical weapons in the past century. However little information exists concerning long-term mortality due to mustard gas exposure. In this study we investigated mortality rate among civilian people exposed to mustard gas during Iran-Iraq war in sardasht in Iran after 32 years.Methods:In this retrospective cohort study, data related to all people exposed to mustard gas in sardasht in 1987 were extracted from the Veterans and Martyr Affair Foundation of Iran up to March 20, 2019. Mortality rate, cumulative mortality and standardized mortality ratio with 95 % confidence interval were calculated to explain mortality in the cohort and compare it with Iranian general population. Cox regression analysis used to indicate factor affected risk of death in the cohort. Results:Out of 1,203 exposed people at the beginning of the period, 148 people died by the end of the study, with an average age of 66.42 at the time of death. Total person-years of the people up to end of the study were 38198.63 and mortality rate was equal to 387 per 100,000 persons-years. Total number of observed deaths was less than expected death and the all-cause standardized mortality ratio (SMR) was 0.680. Cause-specific SMR showed that observed death due to respiratory diseases was higher than expected (SMR: 1.75). The results of univariate and multivariate cox regression analysis showed that increasing age and having severe late complication in lung increase risk of death among people in the cohort. Conclusion:In general, this result indicated that acute exposure to mustard gas, even without wearing protective clothing and masks, will not increase all-cause mortality after 32 years if accompanied by special and ongoing care for those exposed.

Varroa destructor is considered one of the major threats for apiculture worldwide. The present study was designed to identify risk factors associated with V. destructor occurrence in West Azerbaijan, Iran. During autumn 2016, data on general apiary traits, occurrence of Varroasis, management practices, and treatment procedures were recorded in 174 apiaries using a questionnaire in a cross-sectional study. In total, 74% of apiaries reported infestation with varroa mites. Based on results of logistic regression models, management by semi-experienced (5–10 years) and experienced (>10 years) beekeepers (odds ratio (OR) = 0.058, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.008–0.413, p = 0.004, and OR = 0.048, 95% CI = 0.010–0.225, p 6 km distance to cities and/or motorways (OR = 0.280, 95% CI = 0.084–0.934, p = 0.038), were found to decrease the risk of varroa infestation. Apiaries using traditional hives w...

Background Rodents are reservoirs and hosts for several zoonotic diseases such as plague, leptospirosis, and leishmaniasis. Rapid development of industry and agriculture, as well as climate change throughout the globe, has led to change or increase in occurrence of rodent-borne diseases. Considering the distribution of rodents throughout Iran, the aim of this review is to assess the risk of rodent-borne diseases in Iran. Methodology/Principal finding We searched Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct, Scientific Information Database (SID), and Magiran databases up to September 2016 to obtain articles reporting occurrence of rodent-borne diseases in Iran and extract information from them. Out of 70 known rodent-borne diseases, 34 were reported in Iran: 17 (50%) parasitic diseases, 13 (38%) bacterial diseases, and 4 (12%) viral diseases. Twenty-one out of 34 diseases were reported from both humans and rodents. Among the diseases reported in the rodents of Iran, plague, leishmaniasis, and hymenolepiasis were the most frequent. The most infected rodents were Rattus norvegicus (16 diseases), Mus musculus (14 diseases), Rattus rattus (13 diseases), Meriones persicus (7 diseases), Apodemus spp. (5 diseases), Tatera indica (4 diseases), Meriones libycus (3 diseases), Rhombomys opimus (3 diseases), Cricetulus migratorius (3 diseases), and Nesokia indica (2 diseases). Conclusions/Significance The results of this review indicate the importance of rodent-borne diseases in Iran. Considering notable diversity of rodents and their extensive distribution throughout the country, it is crucial to pay more attention to their role in spreading infectious diseases for better control of the diseases., Author summary This review showed that approximately half of the known rodent-borne diseases have been reported in Iran, half of which were reported both in humans and rodents. Most of the diseases were bacterial and parasitic. Plague, leishmaniasis, and hymenolepiasis were the most frequent diseases among rodent populations. Also, this review showed that among the rodent species, three commensal ones—R. norvegicus, M. musculus, and R. rattus—play an important role in the transmission of diseases to humans in Iran. Considering repeated reports of many of these diseases in humans and rodents, and the notable diversity and extensive distribution of rodents throughout Iran, it is crucial to pay adequate attention to rodents as a source of zoonotic infectious diseases in the country.