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Background: Cystic echinococcosis (CE), a helminth‐associated zoonosis caused by Echinococcus granulosus, poses a significant public health problem, particularly in pastoral‐rearing regions. The lack of uniform guidelines led to variations in CE management. Based on ultrasound data, the World Health Organization Informal Working Group on Echinococcosis (WHO‐IWGE) classification system categorizes cysts into active, transitional, and inactive groups. This study assesses whether the therapeutic approach from liver human operation cases in North Khorasan province aligns with the WHO‐IWGE reference based on ultrasound data. Methods: The research is based on ultrasound data from liver CE human operation cases collected between 2018 and 2022. This retrospective study investigates the therapeutic protocol for (CE) in North Khorasan Province, Iran, comparing it with the WHO‐IWGE guidelines. We collect data from previously registered patients' medical information from our studied area's main CE surgical hospital. Moreover, as the first hospitalized survey in Iran, this study reveals insights into patient demographics, cyst stage prevalence, and treatment modalities. Results: Notably, more than half of the patients were treated for CE1 stage cysts, and CE4 cases, which generally do not require surgery, underwent open surgery. The results suggest a need for adherence to the "watch‐and‐wait" approach in specific cases. All patients underwent successful surgeries, but we do not have access to follow‐up data from patients after discharge. Conclusions: This descriptive study contributes to understanding the implementation of WHO guidelines in a regional context, shedding light on the challenges and variations in CE management. It seems, retraining courses for surgeons are required to update their knowledge of standard CE diagnostic and treatment methods. Access the CME test here and search by article title. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Blastocystis spp. is an anaerobic, single-celled intestinal parasite with a global prevalence that is found in the lower digestive tract of humans and many animals, such as numerous types of vertebrates. To date, 17 genotypes have been identified. Nine of these genotypes are common in humans. The organism is found in both healthy and compromised individuals, hence its pathogenicity is controversial. This study aimed to investigate the frequency of Blastocystis spp. genotypes in Bandar Abbas, Iran in 2022. Materials and Methods: A total of 378 stool samples were collected from hospitals and health centers of Bandar Abbas, Hormozgan province, Iran. Stool samples were examined by direct and formalin ethyl acetate (concentration) methods. Positive samples for Blastocystis spp. were isolated and DNA extraction was done. All extracted DNA specimens were analyzed by NanoDrop to ensure quantity and quality. The PCR technique was used to identify parasite genotypes and all samples were sequenced for genotype confirmation. Results: Finally 14 samples were detected as positive microscopically and 8 samples were confirmed by PCR. Identified isolated genotypes were 4 samples ST1 (50%), 3 ST3 (37.5%), and one ST2 (12.5%). All negative and positive samples were analyzed 3 times to confirm accuracy. Conclusion: Blastocystis spp. is the most common protozoan parasite of the human intestine, and despite the studies, there are many uncertainties about its pathogenicity. The current study was designed and carried out during the COVID-19 pandemic and lower positive patients may be related to severe hygiene considerations and consumption of various antibiotics amongst the population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background In malaria endemic areas, continuous exposure to Plasmodium parasites leads to asymptomatic carriers that provide a fundamental reservoir of parasites, contributing to the persistence of malaria transmission. Therefore, in the present investigation, the presence and prevalence of malaria asymptomatic cases were determined to evaluate the reservoir of infection in two malaria endemic areas with a previous history of malaria transmission in the south of Iran, Bashagard and Ghale-Ganj districts of Hormozgan and Kerman provinces, respectively, where malaria transmission has been drastically reduced in the recent years. Methods The population samples (n=500 from each of the studied areas) were randomly collected from non-febrile, long-term residing, aged two to over 60years, during 20092010. Three identical surveys were carried out in both study areas and in each phase all the consent participants were interviewed and clinically examined. In all, three surveys to detect hidden parasite reservoirs (both Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax), thick and thin blood smears and a highly sensitive nested-PCR were applied. In addition, the sero-prevalence survey for detecting malaria exposure was done by using a serological marker. Results In this study, P. vivax and P. falciparum parasites were not detected by light microscopy and nested-PCR assay in all three surveys of samples. Antibody responses against P. vivax and P. falciparum were detected in 1 % and 0.2 % of the total examined individuals, respectively, in Bashagard district. Regarding to Ghale-Ganj district, about 0.9% of the individuals had IgG -specific antibody to P. vivax at the first and second surveys, but at the third survey 0.45% of the participants had positive antibody to P. vivax parasite. IgG -specific antibody to P. falciparum was detected in 0.2% of the participants at the first and follow-up surveys. The overall regional differences were not statistically significant (P>0.05). Conclusion Taken together, the lack of asymptomatic carrier with the evidence of extremely low sero-positive to both P. vivax and P. falciparum among examined individuals supported the limited recent transmission in the studied areas and, therefore, these parts of Iran have potential to eliminate the disease in the next few years. However, continued follow up and action are still needed in both studied areas and also in their neighbouring province, Sistan and Baluchistan, which has the highest reported cases of malaria in Iran and also, has the largest border line with Afghanistan and Pakistan, with no elimination activities. This data will provide useful information for managing elimination activities in Iran.

Background: Anopheles stephensi is considered to be the main malaria vector in the Middle East area including Iran. We aimed to evaluate the efficiency of a gr anule 10% formulation of Bacillus thuringiensis against this species under laboratory and semi-field conditions in an endemic malarious area of Iran. Method: After collecting mosquitos from Hunnudar. in order to find the best effective dose, five dosages (a quarter-dose, half dose, recommended dose, a twice-dose and four times dose) were used for laboratory and semi-field assays in Bandar- Abbas. Results: Recommended dose by factoiy (0.017 g /0.1 m2) showed the highest mortality rate on An. stephensi larvae in both assays. Hie efficiency of Bt was very low (21 %) under semifield condition. Accor ding to the results of this study, the use of bacteiia alone cannot be a useful and effective way to control the vector of malaria in Iran's geographic conditions. Conclusion: This method can be used (in the case of appropriate efficacy of the tested formulation in field condition) as one of the constituent parts of Integrated Vector Management (IVM) program along with other recommended methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epidemiological and clinical studies have shown a great difference in the severity and prevalence of infectious diseases in men and women and various studies have shown that the key immunological factors are affected by sex-associated hormones. Considering the role of sex hormones in various infections, the current study aimed to determine the level of sex hormones in patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) and malaria and compare it with those of healthy controls. The survey was designed as a case-control study. Peripheral blood was collected from thirty male malaria patients, sixty patients (equal number of both sexes) with cutaneous leishmaniasis and ninety healthy subjects. Disease confirmations were done through microscopic examination of either peripheral blood smears, in case of malaria, or Giemsa-stained lesion imprint slides for CL. The level of testosterone, progesterone and estrogen were measured in malaria and CL patients along with healthy subjects, using an ELISA commercial kit. Age of participants was 18-35 years (mean 25.39 ± 4.70) for CL patients and 14-41 years (mean 27.63 ± 9.09) for malaria patients. Differences between the age of patients and the healthy subjects were insignificant. The level of testosterone in malaria patients (1.44 ± 0.12 ng/mL) was lower than control group (1.46 ± 0.06, ng/mL) but the differences were not statistically significant (p > .05). The concentration of testosterone in CL patients (1.49 ± 0.03 ng/mL) was higher than those of control group (1.46 ± 0.06 ng/mL), and the difference was statistically significant (p  = 0.05). Although the concentration of estrogen and progesterone in CL patients were lower than controls, still the differences were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Findings of the current study demonstrated a significant difference in the serum level of testosterone in CL patients in comparison with the healthy subjects whereas such difference was not seen in malaria patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Carboxy-terminal 42 kDa region of Plasmodium vivax merozoite surface protein-1 is considered as an important antigen in blood stage. Since, this region has been observed to be polymorphic among isolates of P. vivax, it is significant to survey on different regions of this antigen in various areas of the world. Methods: In the present study, the genetic diversity of cloned PvMSP-142 kDa gene from an Iranian patient is analyzed. Parasite DNA was extracted from a P. vivax - infected patient in Iran. The region of PvMSP-142 kDa was amplified by PCR, cloned into pTZ57R/T vector and then sequenced. Results: Sequencing of cloned PvMSP-142 kDa gene clearly has a high degree of homology (95%) with reference Sal-I sequence and also with the homogeneous sequences from some studied countries (97%). Thirty eight SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphism) were identified in cloned PvMSP-142 kDa gene which the mutations had localized in the 33 kDa fragment (PvMSP-133 kDa), while there was nearly no variation in the 19 kDa fragment (PvMSP-119 kDa). 2 out of 38 mutations were found as to be novel haplotypes. Conclusion: High similarity of cloned PvMSP-142 kDa gene in comparison to reference sequence and other sequences could be beneficial as a remarkable molecular marker for serological diagnostic kits of P. vivax in malarious neighboring countries of Iran and around the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of this study was to detect low parasite and asymptomatic malaria infections by means of three malaria diagnostic tests, in a low transmission region of Minab district, Hormozgan Province, southern Iran. Methods: Blood samples of 200 healthy volunteers from Bagh-e-Malek area were evaluated using microscopic, rapid diagnostic tests (RDT) and nested-PCR to inspect malaria parasite. Results: The results showed no Plasmodium parasite in subjects by means of microscopy and RDT. However, 3 P. vivax positive samples (1.5%) were discovered by Nested-PCR while microscopy and RDT missed the cases. Conclusion: Microscopy as the gold standard method and RDT correctly identified 98.5% of cases, and molecular analysis is sensitive and reliable, especially in the detection of "asymptomatic" infections for active case surveillance. Regarding the existence of asymptomatic malaria in endemic area of Hormozgan, Iran, nested- PCR could be considered as a sensitive tool to interrupt malaria transmission in the country, beside the microscopic and RDT methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Carboxy-terminal 42 kDa region of Plasmodium vivax merozoite surface protein-1 is considered as an important antigen in blood stage. Since, this region has been observed to be polymorphic among isolates of P. vivax, it is significant to survey on different regions of this antigen in various areas of the world., Methods: In the present study, the genetic diversity of cloned PvMSP-142 kDa gene from an Iranian patient is analyzed. Parasite DNA was extracted from a P. vivax - infected patient in Iran. The region of PvMSP-142 kDa was amplified by PCR, cloned into pTZ57R/T vector and then sequenced., Results: Sequencing of cloned PvMSP-142 kDa gene clearly has a high degree of homology (95%) with reference Sal-I sequence and also with the homogeneous sequences from some studied countries (97%). Thirty eight SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphism) were identified in cloned PvMSP-142 kDa gene which the mutations had localized in the 33 kDa fragment (PvMSP-133 kDa), while there was nearly no variation in the 19 kDa fragment (PvMSP-119 kDa). 2 out of 38 mutations were found as to be novel haplotypes., Conclusion: High similarity of cloned PvMSP-142 kDa gene in comparison to reference sequence and other sequences could be beneficial as a remarkable molecular marker for serological diagnostic kits of P. vivax in malarious neighboring countries of Iran and around the world.