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Background: Seasonal activity patterns of mosquitoes are essential as baseline knowledge to understand the transmission dynamics of vector-borne diseases. This study was conducted to evaluate the monthly dynamics of the mosquito populations and their relation to meteorological factors in Mazandaran Province, north of Iran. Methods: Mosquito adults and larvae were collected from 16 counties of Mazandaran Province using different sampling techniques, once a month from May to December 2014. “Index of Species Abundance” (ISA) along with “Standardized ISA” (SISA) was used for assessing the most abundant species of mosquitoes based on the explanations of Robert and Hsi. Pearson’s correlation coefficient (R) was used to assess the relationships between the monthly population fluctuations and meteorological variables. Results: Overall, 23750 mosquitoes belonging to four genera and nineteen species were collected and identified. The highest population density of mosquitoes was in July and the lowest in May. The ISA/SISA indices for Culex pipiens were both 1 for larvae and 1.25/0.973 for adults in total catch performed in human dwellings. For Cx. tritaeniorhynchus, the ISA/SISA were 1.68/0.938 in pit shelter method. A significant positive correlation was observed between population fluctuations of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus and mean temperature (R: 0.766, P< 0.027). Conclusions: The results indicated that the mosquitoes are more active in July, and Cx. pipiens and Cx. tritaeniorhynchus were the most abundant species. Considering the potential of these species as vectors of numerous pathogens, control programs can be planed based on their monthly activity pattern in the area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mosquitoes transmit a variety of diseases to humans. Their abundance and distribution are related to the characteristics of larval habitats. Mosquito larvae were collected from 120 natural and artificial habitats in 30 villages of 16 counties using standard 350 ml dippers and pipette, on a monthly basis from May–December 2014 in Mazandaran Province, northern Iran. Larval habitat characteristics were recorded separately, based on the conditions of the habitats (permanent or temporary, stagnant or running), type of habitats (natural or artificial), vegetation, exposure to sun, type of bed, water condition (clear or turbid), expanse (m), depth (cm, m) and temperature (°C) of habitats. The relationship between larval density and environmental variables was assessed by Chi-square tests. Totally, 19,840 larvae from three genera and 16 species were collected and identified. Anopheles maculipennis s.l. and Culex pipiens were the dominant species and collected with the highest density in plain areas. The highest number of larvae were collected from natural habitats (60.34%), including; river edge, marsh, pit and wetlands; with temporary and stagnant water, expanse of 0–5 m, depth of 1–25 cm, without plant, shadow-sun, muddy floor, turbid water, temperature 20–25°C and in sunny conditions. River edge and rice fields for An. maculipennis s.l and, wetlands and discarded tires for Cx. pipiens were the main larval habitats in the province. Statistical analysis revealed significant relation between occurrence of An. maculipennis s.l., Cx. pipiens, Culex torrentium, Culex mimeticus and Cs. annulata with each of the environmental variables (P < 0.001). These findings are essential in expanding our knowledge of the vectors ecology specially the type of habitat preference and will be beneficial in larval control programs. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) is a viral zoonosis tick-borne disease transmitted by tick biting, contact to blood or carcass of infected animals or humans. Iran is located in the category of countries with high prevalence of CCHF. However, no report of this disease was made from Mazandaran Province until 2010. Because of the first report of CCHF occurrence in Nur County, Mazandaran province in occupation related to animals, this study was undertaken to investigate high risk practice of people engaged in occupations related domesticated animal. Methods & Materials: In 2012, a cross-sectional study was performed on 314 people including livestock farmers, animal keepers, shepherds, butchers, abattoir workers, chefs and veterinary staff to investigate their practice against CCHF disease in three Districts of Nur County. Prevalence of each practice including lack of protective wear, contact with livestock, slaughtering and contact with fresh flesh and blood of livestock and removing and squashing ticks from animals' body with unprotected hand were reported and relationship between each practice and demographic and ecologic variables were analyzed by Pearson's chi-square and binomial regression tests (P < 0.05). Results: 289 out of 314 individuals were interviewed. Odds ratio (OR) of high risk practices including lack of protective wear when slaughtering or slicing fresh raw livestock meat was high in livestock farming (OR = 29.69, CI: 10.56-83.41), in people older than 59 years and more (OR = 23.93, CI: 3-190.8), in illiterate individuals (OR = 12.86, CI: 3.52-46.99) than other groups. Removing and squashing ticks from animals' body with unprotected hand was high in category of butchers who worked in sheep and beef husbandry than other occupations (OR = 40.5, CI: 5.37-305.34). Conclusion: Our results proved high risk practices in the animal husbandry occupations; it would be a continuation of the increased risk of CCHF and even its epidemic among them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Different species of mosquitoes may have a role in the transmission of various diseases. The presence of more than one species in a habitat suggests that they share similar environmental conditions. Notwithstanding the importance of mosquitoes in the potential transmission of disease and intra and inter-species association, yet accurate data in relation to ecology and co-occurrence of mosquito species in the habitats is not available. Therefore, determining co-occurrence of this species in different habitats can be important to provide basic information in relation to vector control programs in the region. The present study focused on incidence of co-occurrence among mosquito species in Mazandaran Province, northern Iran. Methods & Materials: Larvae collections were carried out from natural and artificial different habitats by standard dipping (350 cc) methods during May to December 2014, in 30 rural of 16 counties. Larvae collected from each larval habitats individually were preserved in test tubes containing lactophenol and sent to the laboratory for identification by valid key. Results: Larvae were sampled from 120 habitats and identified by morphological keys. Sixteen species of mosquitoes were identified: An. claviger, An. hyrcanus, An. maculipennis, An. marteri, An. plumbeus, An. pseudopictus, Cx. pipiens, Cx. tritaeniorhynchus, Cx. torrentium, Cx. perexiguus, Cx. territans, Cx. mimeticus, Cx. hortensis, Cs. annulata, Cs. longiareolata, and Cs. morsitans. In total, larvae were seen in 1305 co-occurrences in natural and artificial oviposition sites during the study. The highest co-occurrence was observed associated with Cx. pipiens (630 occurrences, 48.27% of the total), An. maculipennis (87 occurrences, 6.66% of the total), respectively. Of these, Cx. pipiens was found in 123 occasions in related to Cx. torrentium which demonstrates the highest co-occurrences of the species. An. marteri (1, 0.07% of the total) and Cs. morsitans (2, 0.15% of the total) indicated the lowest occurrence in the province. Conclusion: Cx. pipiens/Cx. torrentium shows highest cooccurrence in larval habitats in the province. Co-occurrence strengthen the common needs of these two species in the area which could indicate necessity further studies related to the bionomics Cx. pipiens/Cx. torrentium species, to provide adequate and affordable basic data for control programs in the future in the province. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although considerable progress has been made in the past years in management of mosquito borne diseases such as malaria, dengue, yellow fever and West Nile fever through research in biology and ecology of the vectors, these diseases are still major threats to human health. Therefore, more research is required for better management of the diseases. This investigation provides information on the composition, co-occurrence, association and affinity indices of mosquito larvae in Mazandaran Province, northern Iran. In a large scale field study, mosquito larvae were collected from 120 sentinel sites in 16 counties in Mazandaran Province, using standard 350 ml dipper. Sampling took place monthly from May to December 2014. Collected larvae were mounted on glass slides using de Faure’s medium and were diagnosed using morphological characters. Totally, 19,840 larvae were collected including three genera and 16 species from 120 larval habitats, as follows: Anopheles claviger , Anopheles hyrcanus , Anopheles maculipennis s.l. , Anopheles marteri , Anopheles plumbeus , Anopheles pseudopictus , Culex pipiens , Culex tritaeniorhynchus , Culex torrentium , Culex perexiguus , C ulex territans , C ulex mimeticus , C ulex hortensis , Culiseta annulata , C uliseta longiareolata , and C uliseta morsitans . Predominant species were Cx. pipiens and An. maculipennis s.l. which show the highest co-occurrence. The pair of species An. hyrcanus / An. pseudopictus showed significant affinity and association. High co-occurrence of the predominant species Cx. pipiens and An. maculipennis s.l. in the study area is of considerable importance in terms of vector ecology. It was also revealed that An. pseudopictus / An. hyrcanus often occur sympatrically indicating their common habitat requirements. The information may be equally important when vector control measures are considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose: Pesticides are used to control pests in agricultural crops. According to the integrity and permeability status of surface skin of strawberry, pesticides can penetrate and precipitate in the fruit. Thus, the study was performed to assess the level of Organophosphorus pesticide residues together in strawberry produced in Mazandaran province. Material and methods: In this study, 211 strawberry samples were collected in the different cities of Mazandaran province during spring 2012, and the residual levels of malation, diazinon, dursban and etion were analyzed using QUECHERS and GC-MS. The data were analyzed by One-way ANOVA statistical analysis. P< 0.05 was comprehended as significant. Results: The results showed that the mean residual contents of malation, diazinon, dursban and etion were 4.58±2.8 ppb, 37.2±6.8 ppb, 6.07±1.78 ppb and 2.67±1.74 ppb, respectively. Despite the malation and etion, the mean concentrations of diazinon and dursban in strawberry samples were lower than that of Iran standard level. Conclusion: As a result, regarding to the use of large amount of unaccepted pesticides, permanent control of pesticide residues in agricultural products such as strawberry, seems to be necessary [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]