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Background: The lack of an integrated national system prevents the Islamic Republic of Iran from registering and reporting all cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis. Aim: To establish a laboratory network for the improvement of diagnosis and surveillance of cutaneous leishmaniasis in endemic areas of the Islamic Republic of Iran using parasitological and molecular methods. Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional, pilot study examined 49 laboratories in the 2 endemic areas for cutaneous leishmaniasis in the Islamic Republic of Iran. Samples were taken for identification of the dominant Leishmania species from individuals with cutaneous leishmaniasis referred to the laboratories and had not travelled to other endemic regions. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS version 25.0. Using the primary healthcare laboratory network, we established a 3-level surveillance system. We compared misdiagnosis, new cases, clinical relapses, treatment resistance, and treatment failure before and after establishment of the network. Results: Network implementation reduced relapse of cutaneous leishmaniasis. After the laboratory training, the average misdiagnosis rate decreased from 49.3% to 4.2% for positive microscopic slides and from 31.6% to 12% for negative slides. Correct diagnosis was significantly higher in the study areas after the intervention. Conclusion: Implementation of a cutaneous leishmaniasis laboratory network can enhance diagnosis, unify diagnostic methods and improve patient care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) is an important vector-borne disease with an incidence of 15.8 cases per 100,000 people in Iran in 2019. Despite all efforts to control the disease, ZCL has expanded into new areas during the last decades. The aim of this study was to predict the best ecological niches for both vectors and reservoirs of ZCL under climate change scenarios in Iran. Several online scientific databases were searched. In this study, various scientific sources (Google Scholar, PubMed, SID, Ovid Medline, Web of Science, Irandoc, Magiran) were searched. The inclusion criteria for this study included all records with spatial information about vectors and reservoirs of ZCL which were published between 1980 and 2019. The bioclimatic data were downloaded from online databases. MaxEnt model was used to predict the ecological niches for each species under two climate change scenarios in two periods: the 2030s and 2050s. The results obtained from the model were analysed in ArcMap to find the vulnerability of different provinces for the establishment of ZCL foci. The area under the curve (AUC) for all models was >0.8, which suggests the models are able to make an accurate prediction. The distribution of all studied species in different climatic conditions showed changes. The variables affecting each of the studied species are introduced in the article. The predicted maps show that by 2050 there will be more suitable areas for the co-occurrence of vector and reservoir(s) of ZCL in Iran compared to the current climate condition and RCP2.6 scenario. An area in the northwest of Iran is predicted to have suitable environmental conditions for both vectors and reservoirs of ZCL, although the disease has not yet been reported in this area. These areas should be considered for field studies to confirm these results and to prevent the establishment of new ZCL foci in Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cutaneous leishmaniasis is an ancient endemic disease in Iran and continues to be a growing health threat to community development and the environment. This paper explains how to use the facilities of health centers for developing a laboratory network on vectors and reservoir hosts of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Iran. Methods: A literature search was performed of the relevant multiple databases to include studies on vectors and reservoirs of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Iran. A team of experienced experts was performed. After holding several meetings, field visits and organizing workshops, the activities of laboratories were determined at three levels. Results: Entomological studies showed that 5 species of the genus Phlebotomus and 10 species of the genus Sergentomyia are active in the south, 4 species of the genus Phlebotomus and one species of the genus Sergentomyia in the central part and 5 species of the genus Phlebotomus and 2 species of the genus Sergentomyia in the north east. Reservoir hosts were identified in the study areas. The tasks of laboratories were regulated at different levels. Conclusion: The Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education should prioritize the employment of capable persons in the field of Medical Entomology and Vector Control. The survival of this laboratory network depends on hiring and employing interested and persistent people. The universities of Medical Sciences that have the facilities to set up this network will be a very effective partner in the control of the disease in high risk areas. The results can be used in neighboring countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cutaneous leishmaniasis is a neglected and parasitic vector borne diseases that is endemic in tropical and subtropical countries, including Iran. The aim of this study was to explain the present status of CL in Iran. This report is based on data that recorded by cutaneous leishmaniasis surveillance system in 2019, and evaluated in Center for Communicable Diseases Management in Ministry of Health in Iran. Iran has been considered an endemic area for cutaneous leishmaniasis in the world. Dependent to activities for cutaneous leishmaniasis control the number of cases decreased from 23202 in 2008 (Incidence rate 32 per 100000) to 13124 in 2019 (Incidence rate 15.8 per 100000), more cases reported from September to December, in 2019, 46% of cases had one lesion and 21% had 2 lesions, 85% of cases diagnosed when the diameter of lesions had 3 centimeters and bellows. Although the Leishmania control program began in 1977, the incidence of the disease has dropped dramatically since 2008 when the new cutaneous leishmaniasis control program have been implemented. Although in some areas the incidence of the disease increased, but the implementation of the new program has reduced the number of cases, in order to continue reducing the disease, permanent support for the control programs is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Brucellosis is a common zoonotic infection worldwide. Transmission can be occasionally observed via transfusion or transplantation. This study was designed to survey the seroprevalence of anti-Brucella antibody in blood donors in different endemic provinces. Materials and Methods: A total of 14,706 blood donors from the 5 most prevalent provinces were studied by standard tube agglutination (STA) and any positive subjects were further confirmed by 2-mercaptoethanol agglutination test (2-ME). Significant titres were 80 for STA and 40 for 2-ME. Result: A total of 63 (0.43%) serum samples were STA-positive. Of these, the 2-ME test was reactive in 42 samples. The 2-ME test was reactive in 31 samples with a low titre. However, concomitant STA ≥80 and the titre of ≥40 for the 2-ME test were found in 11 subjects (0.075%), mostly resident in urban areas. Exposure to manure products was identified as a significant risk factor (p = 0.0128). Conclusion: The observed data show a somewhat noticeable prevalence among Iranian blood donors, bringing attention to the importance of pre-donation screening via a questionnaire which supplies answers about occupational history, and any history of exposure or past infections. Further studies to evaluate the frequency and related risk factors in certain populations, in conjunction with implementing stricter regulations in blood donor selection in endemic areas, may be necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]