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Background: Phlebotomus and Sergentomya are distributed in the old-world regions and transmit leishmaniases through mammalian and reptile hosts. Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is one of the most important diseases in Iran. Iranian sand flies belong to three Oriental, Palearctic, and Afrotropical Regions. Fars Province is located in Palearctic, but southern parts are affected Oriental region situations on phglebotomine population variety. Therefore, a comprehensive study was required on the vectors of the disease in this Province. Methods: Regarding the approved role of the environmental factors in creating the fauna and distribution of living creatures, the “de martonne climate method” was used, and the climate was noticed as an important environmental factor for the determination of vector distribution. Accordingly, 14 sampling sites were selected from 10 foci in different climates of Fars Province. 19648 sand flies were collected from the studied areas in this Province during 2016. Results: Phlebotomus papatasi and Se. antennata were the most frequent species, which were caught from in/outdoor areas. Phlebotomus sergenti and Ph. alexandri were caught from both Palearctic and Oriental zones but were more prevalent in the cold semi-arid climate of the Palearctic zone. Moreover, they were not caught from the hot desert and summer Mediterranean climates of the Oriental zone. Conclusions: It seems that Ph. papatasi as the main vector of CL could be well distributed in different climates in Fars. Moreover, some species like Ph. sergenti preferred especial climates in the Palearctic zone. Therefore, these data could be helpful to control leishmaniases more efficiently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Free-living amoeba (FLA), including Acanthamoeba, Naegleria, Balamuthia and Vermamoeba , have been isolated from water, sand, soil, dust and air. Numerous studies considered that FLA are a significant cause of neurological and ocular complications in high-risk groups, including immunocompromised individuals. The present study aimed to identify morphological and molecular characteristics of FLA isolates in dialysis fluid samples of hydraulic systems in hemodialysis units in Iran. Methods A total of 328 dialysis fluid samples were collected from 16 dialysis machines, including 164 samples before hemodialysis sessions (after cleaning) and 164 samples after hemodialysis sessions (before cleaning). Filtration and cultivation were performed on non-nutrient agar medium. Also, PCR and sequencing were applied by using the genus-specific primers along with a common primer set on positive samples. Results Both morphology and molecular investigations showed that 22.5% (74/328) of dialysis fluid samples were positive for FLA. There was a positive relationship between the high frequency of FLA after hemodialysis sessions (before cleaning) compared with before hemodialysis sessions (after cleaning) (OR=2.86; 95% CI 1.5 to 5.45). Considering the PCR assay, 16.46% (54/328) samples were identified as Acanthamoeba spp. (belonging to T3 and T4 genotypes), 5.18% (17/328) as Vermamoeba vermiformis and 0.91% (3/328) as Vahlkampfiidae family (Naegleria australiensis, Naegleria pagei and Allovahlkampfia). Conclusion The present results support a need to improve filtration and purification methods for dialysis fluid of hydraulic systems in hemodialysis units. They also highlight the relevance of periodic screenings for FLA-related diseases in hemodialysis patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Visceral larvae migrant syndrome is a zoonotic disease which is transmitted to human through invasion of animal nematode larvae, mainly Toxocara spp., to intestine and their migration to other tissues. Little information has been published in this regard. The present study aimed to investigate the soil contamination with Toxocara spp. ova in public parks, elementary schools and kindergartens of Jahrom city. Material and Method: A total of 100 soil samples were collected from 20 parks and public places, 16 soil samples from kindergartens and 55 samples from elementary schools. Samples were investigated for Toxocara spp. ova by Sheather's flotation technique. The probable correlations between rate of contamination and environmental factors were analyzed using statistical methods. Results: Toxocara ova were observed in 4% of the samples taken from parks. However, no samples from kindergartens and elementary schools were contaminated. Moreover, no positive correlation was detected between rate of contamination and environmental variables (P>0.05) Conclusion: The presence of Toxocara spp ova in the Jahrom's public parks, the large number of people mainly kids using these places, lack of public awareness about the risks of contact with contaminated soils and more importantly, the roaming of stray dogs and cats are known as alarming factors for authorities to take appropriate measures to reduce contamination in these places. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]