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Ae. aegypti is an important vector for transmission of some dangerous arboviral diseases, including Dengue Fever. The present study was conducted (from August 2017 to January 2020) to survey the fauna of Culicine mosquitoes, emphasizing the existence of this invasive species in oriental parts of the country located near the Persian Gulf. Different sampling methods were used to collect all life stages of the mosquito. After morphological identification, a molecular study based on Cytochrome Oxidase (COI) gene-specific primers was performed. Then, the COI gene was sequenced via the Sanger method. A total of 4843 adults and 11,873 larvae were collected (8 species of Culex , one species of Culiseta , and 5 species of Aedes). Fifty-five Ae. aegypti specimens (8 adults and 47 larvae) were identified. Based on the biology and ecological requirements of Ae. aegypti , the possibility of the permanent establishment of this species in the tropical climate of the region is very likely. Considering the detection of this invasive vector mosquito species in Iran and the high incidence of some arboviral diseases in the neighboring countries, and continuous movements of the settlers of these areas, potential outbreaks of arboviral diseases can be predicted. Planning and implementing an immediate surveillance and control program of the vector mosquito is vital to prevent the permanent establishment of this invasive vector mosquito species in southern Iran. [Display omitted] • A total of 4843 adults and 11,873 larvae of Culicine mosquitoes were collected. • 8 species of Culex, one species of Culiseta, and 5 species of Aedes. • Fifty-five Aedes aegypti specimens (8 adults and 47 larvae) were identified morphologically and molecularly. • This study is the first report of Aedes aegypti's presence and establishment in Iran. • The possibility of the permanent establishment of Aedes aegypti in the tropical region of Iran is very likely. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is caused by intracellular obligate parasites (Leishmania spp.) carried by the blood-sucking of female sandflies and transmitted between mammalian hosts. Despite the high incidence and prevalence of Leishmania cases in many countries, it has been a neglected tropical disease. The current treatment approaches are limited by the complications such as loss of fertility and drug resistance. It is, therefore, essential to find new medicines to treat leishmaniasis. CRISPR/Cas9 as a powerful genome-editing tool provides the opportunity to create precise genetic manipulation to investigate the molecular basis of different leishmaniasis cases. Therefore, our main goal was to evaluate the CRISPR PX-LmGP63 vector effect on pathogenicity of Leishmania major in vitro to challenge for using CRISPR/Cas9 as a therapeutic CL through the reduction of L. major pathogenicity by manipulating the GP63 gene. In this study, L. major parasites were transfected with CRISPR/Cas9 vectors constructed by electroporation and then added to macrophage cells on RPMI. The effect of CRISPR/Cas9 constructs on GP63 mutation, viability, and status of L. major was investigated by counting phagocytic parasites into macrophages and DNA sequence analysis. Our data validate that the use of CRISPR/Cas9 in L. major creates a new stop codon and disrupts the frame sheet of the gene by creating a new insertion (thymine), which prevents its expression. In addition, the parasite count was significantly different in the case and control of infected macrophages (P < 0.05). This study shows the successfully targeted manipulation of the L. major GP63 gene via the adaptation of the CRISPR/Cas9 editing tool. The manipulation of GP63 revealed a reduction in the infection load compared to wild-type parasite infection. Therefore, more studies are necessary for this field to help achieve a new method for the prevention and treatment of CL disease. • Despite the high incidence and prevalence of Cutaneous leishmaniasis cases, it has been a neglected tropical disease and it mainly affects countries. It is essential to finding new methods of control and medicines for treatment of leishmaniasis. • CRISPR/Cas9 as a powerful genome-editing tool provides the opportunity to create precise genetic manipulation to investigate the molecular basis of different leishmaniasis. Therefore, the main goal was to challenge for using CRISPR/Cas9 as a therapeutic CL through reduction of pathogenicity of Leishmania major using manipulation of GP63 gene. • In this study, L. major parasites were transfected with CRISPR/Cas9 constructed vectors by electroporation then added to macrophage cells on RPMI. Counting phagocytic parasites into macrophages and DNA sequence analysis were used to investigate the effect of CRISPR/Cas9 constructs on GP63 mutation, viability and status of L. major. • Our data validate the use of CRISPR/Cas9 in L. major by creating a new insertion (thymine), a new stop codon is created and the frame sheet of the gene is disrupted, which prevents its expression. In addition, the parasitic counting was significantly different in case and control of infected macrophages (P < 0.05). • This study shows the successful targeted manipulation of L. major GP63 gene via adaptation of the CRISPR/Cas9 editing tool. The manipulation of GP63 revealed a reduction infection load compared to wild-type parasite infection. Therefore, more studies are necessary in this field and it can help to researcher to achieve a new method to prevention and treatment of CL Disease in future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]