A detailed review of the mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) of Iran and their medical and veterinary importance

Preliminary monitoring of knockdown resistance (kdr) mutation in Anopheles stephensi: insights from a malarious area in Southeastern Iran

BACKGROUND

Anopheles stephensi is recognized as the main malaria vector in Iran. In recent years, resistance to several insecticide classes, including organochlorine, pyrethroids, and carbamate compounds, has been reported for this medically important malaria vector. The main objective of the present study was to evaluate the insecticide susceptibility status of An. stephensi collected from the southern part of Iran, and to clarify the mechanism of resistance, using bioassay tests and molecular methods comparing the sequence of susceptible and resistant mosquitoes.

METHODS

Mosquito larvae were collected from various larval habitats across six different districts (Gabrik, Sardasht, Tidar, Dehbarez, Kishi and Bandar Abbas) in Hormozgan Provine, located in the southern part of Iran. From each district standing water areas with the highest densities of Anopheles larvae were selected for sampling, and adult mosquitoes were reared from them. Finally, the collected mosquito species were identified using valid keys. Insecticide susceptibility of An. stephensi was tested using permethrin 0.75%, lambdacyhalothrin 0.05%, deltamethrin 0.05%, and DDT 4%, following the World Health Organization (WHO) test procedures for insecticide resistance monitoring. Additionally, knockdown resistance (kdr) mutation in the voltage-gated sodium channel (vgsc) gene was sequenced and analysed among resistant populations to detect possible molecular mechanisms of observed resistance phenotypes.

RESULTS

The susceptibility status of An. stephensi revealed that resistance to DDT and permethrin was found in all districts. Furthermore, resistance to all tested insecticides in An. stephensi was detected in Gabrik, Sardasht, Tidar, and Dehbarez. Analysis of knockdown resistance (kdr) mutations at the vgsc did not show evidence for the presence of this mutation in An. stephensi.

CONCLUSION

Based on the results of the current study, it appears that in An. stephensi from Hormozgan Province (Iran), other resistance mechanisms such as biochemical resistance due to detoxification enzymes may be involved due to the absence of the kdr mutation or non-target site resistance. Further investigation is warranted in the future to identify the exact resistance mechanisms in this main malaria vector across the country.

The monsoon-associated equine South African pointy mosquito 'Aedes caballus'; the first comprehensive record from southeastern Iran with a description of ecological, morphological, and molecular aspects

The equine South African pointy vector mosquito, Aedes caballus, poses a significant threat to human health due to its capacity for transmitting arboviruses. Despite favorable climate for its existence in southeast Iran, previous records of this species in the area have indicated very low abundance. This comprehensive field and laboratory study aimed to assess its current adult population status in this region, utilizing a combination of ecological, morphological and molecular techniques. Four distinct types of traps were strategically placed in three fixed and two variable mosquito sampling sites in the southern strip of Sistan and Baluchistan Province. Subsequently, DNA was extracted from trapped mosquitoes and subjected to PCR amplification using the molecular markers COI, ITS2, and ANT. In total, 1734 adult Ae. caballus specimens were collected from rural areas, with the majority being captured by CO2-baited bednet traps. A notable increase in the abundance of this species was observed following rainfall in February. The genetic analysis revealed multiple haplotypes based on COI and ITS2 sequences, with COI gene divergence at 0.89%, and ITS2 sequence divergence at 1.6%. This suggests that previous challenges in morphological identification may have led to misidentifications, with many adults previously classified as Ae. vexans potentially being Ae. caballus. The findings of this study hold significant implications for public health authorities, providing valuable insights for integrated and targeted vector control and disease management efforts.

An overview of the mosquitoes of Saudi Arabia (Diptera: Culicidae), with updated keys to the adult females

Despite the fact that mosquito-borne infections have considerable consequences for public health in Saudi Arabia, there is neither a thorough review of the species that occur in the country nor updated keys for the identification of the adult females. In this study, species accounts are given for 49 Saudi Arabian mosquito species, as well as Aedes albopictus (Skuse), which is not recorded in Saudi Arabia, but is medically important and is found in some countries of the Middle East and North Africa. Taxonomic notes provide additional information for certain taxa and/or aid their identification.

Medically Significant Vector-Borne Viral Diseases in Iran

Vector-borne viral diseases (VBVDs) continue to pose a considerable public health risk to animals and humans globally. Vectors have integral roles in autochthonous circulation and dissemination of VBVDs worldwide. The interplay of agricultural activities, population expansion, urbanization, host/pathogen evolution, and climate change, all contribute to the continual flux in shaping the epidemiology of VBVDs. In recent decades, VBVDs, once endemic to particular countries, have expanded into new regions such as Iran and its neighbors, increasing the risk of outbreaks and other public health concerns. Both Iran and its neighboring countries are known to host a number of VBVDs that are endemic to these countries or newly circulating. The proximity of Iran to countries hosting regional diseases, along with increased global socioeconomic activities, e.g., international trade and travel, potentially increases the risk for introduction of new VBVDs into Iran. In this review, we examined the epidemiology of numerous VBVDs circulating in Iran, such as Chikungunya virus, Dengue virus, Sindbis virus, West Nile virus, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus, Sandfly-borne phleboviruses, and Hantavirus, in relation to their vectors, specifically mosquitoes, ticks, sandflies, and rodents. In addition, we discussed the interplay of factors, e.g., urbanization and climate change on VBVD dissemination patterns and the consequent public health risks in Iran, highlighting the importance of a One Health approach to further surveil and to evolve mitigation strategies.

Nanoliposomal Trachyspermum ammi (L) sprague essential oil for effective control of malaria mosquito larvae, Anopheles stephensi Liston

Controlling mosquito vectors at immature stages using larvicides is a practical strategy to stave off mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria. Developing nanoliposomes bearing essential oil is a promising approach to improving the efficacy and stability of EOs-derived larvicides. The main aim of this investigation was to assess the efficacy of nanoliposome containing Trachyspermum ammi L. EO (TAEO-NL) as a new potential formulation to control Anopheles stephensi Liston (Diptera, Culicidae) mosquito larvae. The chemical constituents of T. ammi L. essential oil (TAEO) were first investigated using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis; its dominant component (48.22%) was thymol. TAEO-NL with a particle size of 54.6 ± 5 nm and zeta potential of -18 ± 0.5 mV were then prepared using the ethanol injection method. Besides, the successful loading of TAEO was confirmed using Attenuated Total Reflection-Fourier Transform Infra-Red (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy analysis. A significant difference (P < 0.05) was observed in the efficacy of TAEO-NL and TAEO with lethal concentration 50% (LC50) values of 14.09 and 59.47 μg/mL against An. stephensi larvae. However, free nanoliposomes show negligible larvicidal effects (<5%). This nano-formulation could thus be suggested as a green product against insects to impede transmission of deadly infectious diseases with possible field applicability scope.

Physicochemical characteristics of larval habitats and biodiversity of mosquitoes in one of the most important metropolises of southern Iran

The present study aimed to investigate the roles of the physicochemical characteristics of larval habitats in biodiversity and other bionomic factors of mosquitoes in Shiraz. The physical parameters of all habitats were recorded separately. The collected mosquito larvae were identified based on morphological characters. The water samples of larval habitats were analyzed for Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD, mg/L), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD, mg/L), pH, alkalinity, turbidity, total hardness (mg/L), Electrical Conductivity (EC, μS/cm), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS, mg/L), Cl2 (mg/L), and water temperature (°C). In addition, three main indices were used for surveying biodiversity. A total of 1229 larvae were collected from April to September 2018 and May to August 2019. Seven medically important mosquito species were identified morphologically. Culex quinquefasciatus and Cx. laticinctus had the highest distribution and abundance. Ecological results showed that the richness and diversity of species were higher and more stable in natural sites than in manmade places. The optimum BOD, COD, alkalinity, TDS, EC, pH, and temperature of water for mosquitoes of the studied areas were 140 mg/L, 360 mg/L, 160 mg/L, 420 mg/L, 840 μS/cm, 8.3, and 24 °C, respectively. Most mosquitoes tended to live in manmade, temporary, and sunny larval habitats with turbid water. The results provided a better understanding of the biology and ecology of mosquitoes as the most important group of disease vectors to humans and animals. Hence, they could be used to apply some safer and more environmentally friendly methods for mosquito control.

The insupportable validity of mosquito subspecies (Diptera: Culicidae) and their exclusion from culicid classification

Beginning about 80 years ago, the recognition of morphological varieties of mosquitoes was gradually replaced by the recognition of subspecies. As an examination of revisionary and detailed taxonomic studies of mosquitoes clearly shows, subspecies are untenable concepts which have been synonymized with nominotypical forms or recognized as distinct species. Thus, from our perspective, subspecies is not a functional or practical taxonomic rank. Consequently, in this study we critically assessed the taxonomic status of the 120 nominal taxa distinguished as subspecies before now to determine whether they should be recognized as separate species or synonymous names. As a result, 96 subspecies are formally elevated to specific rank, 22 are relegated to synonymy with nominotypical forms, one is considered a nomen dubium, one a species inquirenda and the names of four nominal species regarded as synonyms are revalidated. The subspecies and their new status are listed in a conspectus. The revalidated species include Anopheles argentinus (Brèthes, 1912), from synonymy with An. pseudopunctipennis Theobald, 1901c; An. peruvianus Tamayo, 1907, from synonymy with An. pseudopunctipennis as nomen dubium; Culex major Edwards, 1935, from synonymy with Cx. annulioris consimilis Newstead, 1907; and Trichoprosopon trichorryes (Dyar & Knab, 1907), from synonymy with Tr. compressum Lutz, 1905. Additionally, the type locality of Anopheles sergentii Theobald, 1907 is restricted to El Outaya, Biskra Province, Algeria. A complete list of species to be retained, added to or removed from the Encyclopedia of Life, with a few corrections, is provided.

Entomological surveillance of invasive Aedes mosquitoes in Mazandaran Province, northern Iran from 2014 to 2020

Mosquitoes are the most important vectors of serious infectious diseases in the world. Dengue, Zika, chikungunya and yellow fever are emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, associated with the distribution of two key vectors i.e. Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus throughout the world including countries neighbouring Iran. Entomological surveillance was planned and performed monthly from May to December during 2014-2020 in selected counties of Mazandaran Province, North of Iran, by ovitrap, larval collection, hand catch and human baited trap. Overall, 4410 Aedes specimens including 2376 larvae (53.9%) and 2034 (46.1%) adults belonging to six species, namely Aedes vexans, Aedes geniculatus, Aedes caspius, Aedes echinus, Aedes pulcritarsis and Aedes flavescence were collected and morphologically identified. Over the seven years of surveillance, Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus were not found by any sampling method. Aedes vexans and Ae. geniculatus were the most abundant species, their populations peaked in October and November and was positively correlated with precipitation and relative humidity. Aedes flavescence was a new species record for the province. A flowchart for planning and implementation of invasive mosquito surveillance for provincial health authorities in the country is proposed. These surveillance efforts provide basic and timely information for the health system to act promptly on integrated and intensified surveillance and control programs should Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus detected in the province.

Mosquitoes and Mosquito-Borne Diseases in Vietnam

Mosquito-borne diseases pose a significant threat to humans in almost every part of the world. Key factors such as global warming, climatic conditions, rapid urbanisation, frequent human relocation, and widespread deforestation significantly increase the number of mosquitoes and mosquito-borne diseases in Vietnam, and elsewhere around the world. In southeast Asia, and notably in Vietnam, national mosquito control programmes contribute to reducing the risk of mosquito-borne disease transmission, however, malaria and dengue remain a threat to public health. The aim of our review is to provide a complete checklist of all Vietnamese mosquitoes that have been recognised, as well as an overview of mosquito-borne diseases in Vietnam. A total of 281 mosquito species of 42 subgenera and 22 genera exist in Vietnam. Of those, Anopheles, Aedes, and Culex are found to be potential vectors for mosquito-borne diseases. Major mosquito-borne diseases in high-incidence areas of Vietnam include malaria, dengue, and Japanese encephalitis. This review may be useful to entomological researchers for future surveys of Vietnamese mosquitoes and to decision-makers responsible for vector control tactics.

Enhanced procedures for mosquito identification by MALDI-TOF MS

Background

In the last decade, an innovative approach has emerged for arthropod identification based on matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). Increasing interest in applying the original technique for arthropod identification has led to the development of a variety of procedures for sample preparation and selection of body parts, among others. However, the absence of a consensual strategy hampers direct inter-study comparisons. Moreover, these different procedures are confusing to new users. Establishing optimized procedures and standardized protocols for mosquito identification by MALDI-TOF MS is therefore a necessity, and would notably enable the sharing of reference MS databases. Here, we assess the optimal conditions for mosquito identification using MALDI-TOF MS profiling.

Methods

Three homogenization methods, two of which were manual and one automatic, were used on three distinct body parts (legs, thorax, head) of two mosquito laboratory strains, Anopheles coluzzii and Aedes aegypti, and the results evaluated. The reproducibility of MS profiles, identification rate with relevant scores and the suitability of procedures for high-throughput analyses were the main criteria for establishing optimized guidelines. Additionally, the consequences of blood-feeding and geographical origin were evaluated using both laboratory strains and field-collected mosquitoes.

Results

Relevant score values for mosquito identification were obtained for all the three body parts assayed using MALDI-TOF MS profiling; however, the thorax and legs were the most suitable specimens, independently of homogenization method or species. Although the manual homogenization methods were associated with a high rate of identification on the three body parts, this homogenization mode is not adaptable to the processing of a large number of samples. Therefore, the automatic homogenization procedure was selected as the reference homogenization method. Blood-feeding status did not hamper the identification of mosquito species, despite the presence of MS peaks from original blood in the MS profiles of the three body parts tested from both species. Finally, a significant improvement in identification scores was obtained for field-collected specimens when MS spectra of species from the same geographical area were added to the database.

Conclusion

The results of the current study establish guidelines for the selection of mosquito anatomic parts and modality of sample preparation (e.g. homogenization) for future specimen identification by MALDI-TOF MS profiling. These standardized operational protocols could be used as references for creating an international MS database.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-022-05361-0.

The Fauna, Diversity, and Bionomics of Culicinae (Diptera: Culicidae) in Hormozgan Province, Southern Iran

Hormozgan Province is one of the important foci of malaria in Iran. In addition to malaria pathogens, mosquitoes also transmit the pathogens that cause dirofilariasis and West Nile fever in the province. Also, the threat of emerging aedine-borne viruses that cause infections, such as Chikungunya, dengue, and Zika, is noticeable. There is little information about the fauna and bionomics of Culicinae in the province. The present investigation aimed to study the fauna, diversity, and bionomics of culicines. The study was conducted from September 2016 to April 2017 in four counties of Bandar Abbas, Bandar Khamir, Bashagard, and Jask. In total, 3,236 larvae and 1,901 adults including 16 culicine species were collected. The larvae of Culiseta longiareolata (Macquart) (25.65%), Culex pipiens Linnaeus (16.62%), and Cx. quinquefasciatus Say (16.16%) were most abundant and Cx. hortensis Ficalbi (0.09%) was least abundant. Among adults, Cx. laticinctus Edwards (33.19%), Cx. quinquefasciatus (31.09%), and Cx. pipiens (11.99%) were the most prevalent species and Cs. longiareolata (0.47%), Aedes caballus (Theobald) (0.90%), and Cx. bitaeniorhynchus Giles (0.90%) were the least prevalent species. The pairwise similarities of fauna of the counties and different collecting methods and diversity indices were investigated. More ecological data, especially on host preference, seasonality, and larval habitat characteristics, are needed as a basic knowledge for any intervention measures using integrated vector management.

Canine microfilaraemia in some regions of Iran

Background

Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens are vector-borne zoonotic parasites which affect mainly dogs and humans worldwide. In Iran, information about the distribution of those nematodes is scant in several regions. Therefore, we investigated the prevalence of these filarial parasites in stray dogs from five Iranian provinces where no information about these parasites is available.

Methods

Blood samples were collected from 344 stray dogs in five provinces of Iran (i.e. Mazandaran, Gilan, Esfahan, Qazvin and Loresan). The presence of microfilariae was assessed using direct smear, modified Knott’s test, molecular detection of filarial DNA (cox1 gene) and Wolbachia endosymbiont of parasitic nematodes (ftsZ gene) by conventional PCR (cPCR). All of the PCR products were sequenced and phylogenetic analysis was performed.

Results

In total, 75 dogs (21.8%) were found to be positive for D. immitis by cPCR. Infection was detected in all provinces, with the highest prevalence in Gilan province (22/28; 78.6%). Acanthocheilonema reconditum was diagnosed in five dogs (1.4%) from three provinces (i.e. Esfahan, Mazandaran, Gilan). Two dogs were infected with both parasites and three were only infected with A. reconditum. Dirofilaria repens infection was not found in the examined population. Representative sequences of the D. immitis cox1 gene from dogs from the northern provinces (Mazandaran, Gilan, Qazvin) were grouped together and distinctly separate from the ones from western and central provinces (Lorestan and Esfahan), suggesting that different nematode populations are present in the country.

Conclusion

The data reported herein fill existing gaps in knowledge about canine filarial infection in two Iranian provinces and record the highest prevalence of D. immitis ever reported in the country (i.e. 78.6%). A geographical review of the literature about Dirofilaria spp. and A. reconditum infections in dogs and humans has also been summarized, indicating that D. immitis and D. repens are distributed in 22 of 31 provinces in Iran, whereas A. reconditum is present in fewer regions. Effective control strategies are advocated for owned dogs, and a national program for the management of stray dogs is needed to minimize the risk of infection in animals and humans.

Graphical Abstract

Species Variety of the Calf and Human-Attracted Mosquitoes in Southwest Iran

Background:

Any mosquito control methods requires precise information about population dynamics, variety, biology and mosquito habitat. This research assessed Culicid mosquitoes’ attraction to a human host and a calf to better understand their behavior.

Methods:

Adult mosquitoes were sampled in 22 weeks in southwestern Iran’s Nur Ali Village from May to October 2015. The mosquitoes were drawn to the person and calf as bait, while the unbaited trap was also used. A substantial statistical difference between attracted mosquitoes to the hosts was determined in the T-test.

Results:

Within 22 weeks, 29821 mosquitoes were captured. Only 9% were collected from the human baited net trap, 89.1% from the calf baited net trap, and 1.9% from the unbaited net trap. The number of collected female mosquitoes was statistically significantly higher using the calf baited net trap of the total mosquitoes, 916 were randomly identified at the species level by local identification keys. Of these, 63 were Anopheles stephensi (human: 16%, calf: 75% and unbaited: 9%), 83 An. pulcherrimus (human: 27%, calf: 60% and unbaited: 13%), 118 Aedes caspius (human: 24%, calf: 69% and unbaited: 7%), 493 Culex tritaeniorhynchus (human: 52%, calf: 37% and unbaited: 11%), 153 Cx. quinquefasciatus (human: 44%, calf: 47% and unbaited: 9%), and 6 Cx. theileri (human: 33%, calf: 50% and unbaited: 17%).

Conclusion:

The obtained results here provide useful insights into the mosquito population and the possibility of using this information as an essential part of integrated vector management regarding the reemergence of malaria or other mosquito-borne.

Population Fluctuations and Abundance Indices of Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicid), as the Potential Bridge Vectors of Pathogens to Humans and Animals in Mazandaran Province, Northern Iran

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).

Conclusion

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.

Monitoring of synthetic insecticides resistance and mechanisms among malaria vector mosquitoes in Iran: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

In Iran, the prospect of malaria control relies mainly on insecticides used against the genus Anopheles (Diptera: Culicidae) as important vectors of malaria, arboviruses, and so on. Only eight out of 30 malaria mosquito vectors (Anopheles species) have been examined for insecticide resistance in Iran. This study aimed to review articles related to the incremental trend in insecticide resistance and their mechanisms among anopheline malaria vectors in Iran.

METHODS

A literature review was conducted based on such search engines as Iran doc, Web of Science, SID, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar websites using the following keywords: "Anopheles," "Malaria," "Resistance," "Vectors," "Insecticide Resistance," and "Iran" for data collection. Published papers in English or Persian covering 1980 to 2020 were reviewed.

RESULTS

A total of 1125 articles were screened, only 16 of which were filtered to be pertinent in this review. While most of the mosquito vectors of malaria, such as Anopheles stephensi, were resistant to DDT, dieldrin, malathion, and becoming less susceptible to deltamethrin and other synthetic pyrethroid insecticides, few like Anopheles fluviatilis s. l. were susceptible to all insecticides. A disseminating trend in insecticide resistance among different anopheline mosquito vector species was evident. Metabolic and insecticide target-site resistance mechanisms were involved with organochlorines and pyrethroids, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Insecticide resistance is becoming a severe scourge to the effectiveness of vector-borne disease management measures. This event is especially critical in developing and marginalized communities that applied chemical-based vector elimination programs for malaria; therefore, it is crucial to monitor insecticide resistance in malaria vectors in Iran using biochemical and molecular tools.

Epidemiological Evidence of Mosquito-Borne Viruses among Persons and Vectors in Iran: A Study from North to South

•

The overall seroprevalence of DENV, WNV and CHIKV in Iran were 5.9%, 18.8% and 1.8% between 2017 and 2018.

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No proof of viral RNAs was presence in vectors.

•

Gilan and Hormozgan were high risk regions and the elderlies were at higher risk of infection by WNV and CHIKV.

Wolbachia Detection in Field-Collected Mosquitoes from Cameroon

Simple Summary

Wolbachia bacteria from different strains, carried by many insects and nematodes, can interact in many ways with their hosts by changing their biology in different ways, including by suppressing vector population and reducing parasite transmission. Consequently, Wolbachia play an important role in vector control strategies. This study assessed the prevalence of natural Wolbachia infections in mosquitoes collected in Cameroon. Despite the low prevalence that was revealed, Wolbachia spp. were found in eight species of field-collected mosquitoes and are closely related to clades A and B. Aedes aegypti and A. gambiae sl., the main vectors of dengue and malaria, respectively, were not infected in this study, while C. moucheti recorded a high prevalence (46.67%). Future characterisation of the Wolbachia bacteria obtained is needed.

Abstract

Wolbachia spp., known to be maternally inherited intracellular bacteria, are widespread among arthropods, including mosquitoes. Our study assessed the presence and prevalence of Wolbachia infection in wild mosquitoes collected in Cameroon, using the combination of 23s rRNA Anaplasmatacea and 16s rRNA Wolbachia genes. Mosquitoes that were positive for Wolbachia were sequenced for subsequent phylogenetic analysis. Out of a total of 1740 individual mosquitoes belonging to 22 species and five genera screened, 33 mosquitoes (1.87%) belonging to eight species (namely, Aedes albopictus, A. contigus, Culex quinquefasciatus, C. perfuscus, C. wigglesworthi, C. duttoni, Anopheles paludis and Coquillettidia sp.) were found to be positive for Wolbachia infections. Wolbachia spp. were absent in A. gambiae and A. aegypti, the main vectors of malaria and dengue, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S RNA sequences showed they belong mainly to two distinct subgroups (A and B). This study reports the presence of Wolbachia in about eight species of mosquitoes in Cameroon and suggests that future characterisation of the strains is needed.

Impact of meteorological parameters on mosquito population abundance and distribution in a former malaria endemic area, central Iran

Meteorological parameters, have been identified as an important factor involved in the transmission of vector-borne diseases. Mosquitoes are extremely sensitive to weather conditions. The aim of this study was investigate the correlation between meteorological parameters and the abundance of mosquitoes in Kashan County. Mosquitoes were collected using four different traps, including hand catch, animal baited bed net trap (usually a cow), human baited bed net trap and BG-Sentinel trap with CO2 from May to December 2019. A total number of mosquitoes collected were 1756 out of which 1621 (92.31%) were Culex, 22 (1.25%) Culiseta and 113 (6.44%) Anopheles in nine species. Most mosquitoes were collected by BG-Sentinel trap with CO2 (63.78%). Monthly distribution of the mosquitoes indicated different monthly peaks. Their high density were recorded in September and were low in December. The spearman's correlation of the mosquito abundance and the meteorological parameters shows that correlation of the number of total collected mosquitoes with relative humidity and precipitation (Rainfall) was weak negative, and there was week correlation with wind speed, and positive strong correlation with temperature. Data collected with various trap types and mosquito correlation with meteorological parameters in this study can be used for mosquito surveillance and control programs. However, meteorological parameters affect the abundance of mosquitoes, but their impact is complex and most of these variables are species specific.

Significant decline of malaria incidence in a low socioeconomic area in the southeast of Iran: 10 years field assessment during malaria elimination programme

Although malaria burden and its active foci have sharply declined after the implementation of elimination programme since 2010, it is still considered as a major public health problem in southeast Iran. This descriptive-analytical study aimed to determine 10-years of malaria epidemiological trends in Bashagard County. Data were collected from 7 selected malarious region of the county based on active and passive surveillance of clinical cases. For diagnosis of malaria, the examination of microscopic slides and rapid diagnostic test, were used. In total, 237 malaria cases were found from 2009 to 2018. Plasmodium vivax was the dominant parasite species and identified in 232 (97.9%) individuals. Males were infected more than females and the majority of malaria cases (67.4%) were recorded from rural areas. Although about 98% of malaria cases were indigenous, they have decreased form 200 cases in 2009 to zero indigenous transmission in 2018. During the study period, malaria cases had decreased significantly by about 99% and the incidence rate had declined from 5.47/1000 cases in 2009 to 0.002/1000 in 2018. The incidence of malaria, especially indigenous cases, in Bashagard County has decreased dramatically in the past 10 years. However, there is still probability of malaria re-introduction and outbreak in the county due to climatical and geographical conditions. Therefore, it is necessary to implement an active surveillance system to detect and treat malaria cases quickly, during the elimination phase in this county.

An update on the mosquito fauna and mosquito-borne diseases distribution in Cameroon

The expansion of mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue, yellow fever, and chikungunya in the past 15 years has ignited the need for active surveillance of common and neglected mosquito-borne infectious diseases. The surveillance should be designed to detect diseases and to provide relevant field-based data for developing and implementing effective control measures to prevent outbreaks before significant public health consequences can occur. Mosquitoes are important vectors of human and animal pathogens, and knowledge on their biodiversity and distribution in the Afrotropical region is needed for the development of evidence-based vector control strategies. Following a comprehensive literature search, an inventory of the diversity and distribution of mosquitoes as well as the different mosquito-borne diseases found in Cameroon was made. A total of 290 publications/reports and the mosquito catalogue website were consulted for the review. To date, about 307 species, four subspecies and one putative new species of Culicidae, comprising 60 species and one putative new species of Anopheles, 67 species and two subspecies of Culex, 77 species and one subspecies of Aedes, 31 species and one subspecies of Eretmapodites, two Mansonia, eight Coquillettidia, and 62 species with unknown medical and veterinary importance (Toxorhynchites, Uranotaenia, Mimomyia, Malaya, Hodgesia, Ficalbia, Orthopodomyia, Aedeomyia, and Culiseta and Lutzia) have been collected in Cameroon. Multiple mosquito species implicated in the transmission of pathogens within Anopheles, Culex, Aedes, Eretmapodites, Mansonia, and Coquillettidia have been reported in Cameroon. Furthermore, the presence of 26 human and zoonotic arboviral diseases, one helminthic disease, and two protozoal diseases has been reported. Information on the bionomics, taxonomy, and distribution of mosquito species will be useful for the development of integrated vector management programmes for the surveillance and elimination of mosquito-borne diseases in Cameroon.

Pathogenic fungi infection attributes of malarial vectors Anopheles maculipennis and Anopheles superpictus in central Iran

BACKGROUND

Due to the effect of synthetic and commercial insecticides on non-target organisms and the resistance of mosquitoes, non-chemical and environmentally friendly methods have become prevalent in recent years. The present study was to isolate entomopathogenic fungi with toxic effects on mosquitoes in natural larval habitats.

METHODS

Larvae of mosquitoes were collected from Central, Qamsar, Niasar, and Barzok Districts in Kashan County, Central Iran by standard dipping method, from April to late December 2019. Dead larvae, live larvae showing signs of infection, and larvae and pupae with a white coating of fungal mycelium on the outer surface of their bodies were isolated from the rest of the larvae and sterilized with 10% sodium hypochlorite for 2 min, then washed twice with distilled water and transferred to potato-dextrose-agar (PDA) and water-agar (WA) media and incubated at 25 ± 2 °C for 3-4 days. Larvae and fungi were identified morphologically based on identification keys.

RESULTS

A total of 9789 larvae were collected from urban and rural areas in Kashan County. Thirteen species were identified which were recognized to belong to three genera, including Anopheles (7.89%), Culiseta (17.42%) and Culex (74.69%). A total of 105 larvae, including Anopheles superpictus sensu lato (s.l), Anopheles maculipennis s.l., Culex deserticola, Culex perexiguus, and Culiseta longiareolata were found to be infected by Nattrassia mangiferae, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus, Trichoderma spp., and Penicillium spp. Of these, Penicillium spp. was the most abundant fungus isolated and identified from the larval habitats, while An. superpictus s.l. was the most infected mosquito species.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the observations and results obtained of the study, isolated fungi had the potential efficacy for pathogenicity on mosquito larvae. It is suggested that their effects on mosquito larvae should be investigated in the laboratory. The most important point, however, is the proper way of exploiting these biocontrol agents to maximize their effect on reducing the population of vector mosquito larvae without any negative effect on non-target organisms.

Surveillance Studies Reveal Diverse and Potentially Pathogenic-Incriminated Vector Mosquito Species across Major Botswana Touristic Hotspots

Vector mosquitoes contribute significantly to the global burden of diseases in humans, livestock and wildlife. As such, the spatial distribution and abundance of mosquito species and their surveillance cannot be ignored. Here, we surveyed mosquito species across major tourism hotspots in semi-arid Botswana, including, for the first time, the Central Kalahari Game Reserve. Our results reported several mosquito species across seven genera, belonging to Aedes, Anopheles, Culex, Mansonia, Mimomyia, Coquillettidia and Uranotaenia. These results document a significant species inventory that may inform early warning vector-borne disease control systems and likely help manage the risk of emerging and re-emerging mosquito-borne infections.

Sindbis virus infection of mosquito species in the wetlands of northwestern Iran and modeling the probable ecological niches of SINV vectors in the country

Sindbis virus (SINV) and Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) are among the most widely spread mosquito-borne viruses worldwide. Due to the key role of mosquitoes in the transmission cycle of vector-borne diseases, models such as Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) have been used in recent years to predict the environmental suitability and ecological niches of mosquito vectors. Infection of three mosquito species (Anopheles maculipennis s.l., Culex tritaeniorhynchus, and Culiseta longiareolata) with CHIKV has recently been reported in Iran. However, given the importance of vector-borne diseases in the country, there is a need for extensive studies on the infection of mosquitoes with CHIKV and SINV in different areas of the country. Accordingly, the current research was conducted to investigate the infection of mosquitoes with the two aforementioned viruses in the northwestern part of Iran and also to model the ecological niches of the vectors of these mosquito-borne viruses in the country. In the current study, 4639 mosquito specimens, consisting of 2515 adults and 2124 larvae, were collected from the wetlands of West Azerbaijan Province and identified. Ten species belonging to four genera were identified in this study. The specimens were allocated to 149 pools for the determination of infection with CHIKV and SINV. The amplification pattern of five pools comprising two mosquito species (Culex pipiens complex and Cx. Theileri) corresponded to the reference strain of SINV, and the isolates were sequenced to confirm the presence of SINV genome. No cases of CHIKV infection were found among the 149 examined mosquito pools. Data on the distribution of Cx. Pipiens complex and Cx. Theileri were mapped using ArcMap 10.5. Prediction maps of the presence probability for these species revealed that they are most likely to be found in and spread to the north, northwest, south, and southeastern areas of the country and in areas with abundant water resources. For the first time in Iran, our study investigated the presence probability of SINV vectors using ecological niche modeling. Ecological niche profiling showed that the most suitable habitats for Cx. pipiens are mainly concentrated in the north and northwestern parts of the country, whereas Cx. theileri is mostly located in the northwest and western regions. However, there were some other areas of low suitability for these two species in the country. Further studies in a broader geographical area with more species of mosquitos and the determination of infection with other mosquito-borne viruses can provide a clear understanding of the potential spread of mosquito-borne diseases in various regions of Iran.

Fauna and Larval Habitat Characteristics of Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) in Kashan County, Central Iran, 2019

BACKGROUND

Mosquitoes are responsible for spreading devastating parasites and pathogens causing some important infectious diseases. The present study was done to better understand and update the fauna of Culicidae and to find out the distribution and the type of their larval habitats in Kashan County.

METHODS

This study was done in four districts of Kashan County (Central, Qamasr, Niasar and Barzok). Mosquito larvae were collected from 23 active larval habitats using a standard 350ml capacity mosquito dipper from April to late December 2019. The collected larvae were transferred to containers containing lactophenol, and after two weeks individually mounted in Berlese's fluid on a microscope slide and identified to species by morphological characters and valid keys.

RESULTS

In this study, a total of 9789 larvae were collected from urban and rural areas in Kashan County. The identified genera were Anopheles, Culiseta and Culex. In this study larvae of An. turkhudi, Cx. perexiguus, Cx. mimeticus, Cx. deserticola and Cs. subochrea were collected for the first time from Kashan County.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study indicate the presence and activity of different mosquito species in Kashan County that some of them are vectors of arbovirus and other vector-borne diseases.

Vector-borne pathogens in dogs of different regions of Iran and Pakistan

Canine vector-borne diseases (CVBDs) are highly prevalent in tropical and subtropical countries, mainly due to favorable climate conditions and reduced adoption of preventive measures. This study aimed to provide a comprehensive overview on the prevalence of CVBDs in Iran and Pakistan where limited data are available. Blood samples were collected from 403 dogs from six provinces in Iran and Pakistan to assess the presence of pathogen DNA (i.e., Anaplasma spp., Coxiella burnetii, Ehrlichia spp., Rickettsia spp., Babesia spp., Hepatozoon spp., filarioids, and Leishmania spp.). Sera were also screened by an immunofluorescence antibody test for the detection of antibodies against Leishmania infantum. In total, 46.9% of dogs scored positive to Hepatozoon canis being the most frequently detected (41.4%), followed by Anaplasma platys (6.4%), Ehrlichia canis (3.4%), Rickettsia spp. (2.2%), Babesia vogeli (1.0%), and L. infantum (0.3%). A seroprevalence of 9.6% to anti-L. infantum IgG was also recorded. Data reported herein demonstrate that dogs from Iran and Pakistan are at a high risk of CVBDs, particularly of canine hepatozoonosis. Effective control strategies are advocated for minimizing the risk of infection in animals and humans, also in consideration of the zoonotic potential of some pathogens detected.

Ecology of Malaria Vectors in an Endemic Area, Southeast of Iran

Background:

Malaria has long been regarded as one of the most important public health issues in Iran. Although the country is now in the elimination phase, some endemic foci of malaria are still present in the southeastern areas of the country. In some endemic foci, there are no data on the malaria vectors. To fill this gap, the present study was designed to provide basic entomological data on malaria vectors in the southeastern areas of Iran.

Methods:

Adult and larval stages of Anopheles mosquitoes were collected by using different catch methods. Resistance of the main malaria vector in the study area to selected insecticides was evaluated using diagnostic doses advised by the World Health Organization in 2013–2014.

Results:

A total of 3288 larvae and 1055 adult Anopheles mosquitoes were collected, and identified as: Anopheles stephensi (32.1%), Anopheles culicifacies s.l. (23.4%), Anopheles dthali (23.2%), Anopheles superpictus s.l. (12.7%), and Anopheles fluviatilis s.l. (8.6%). Anopheles stephensi was the most predominant mosquito species collected indoors at the study area, with two peaks of activity in May and November. This species was found to be resistant to DDT 4%, tolerant to malathion 5% and susceptible to other tested insecticides.

Conclusion:

All the five malaria vectors endemic to the south of Iran were collected and identified in the study area. Our findings on the ecology and resting/feeding habitats of these malaria vectors provide information useful for planning vector control program in this malarious area.

Setaria labiatopapillosa (Filarioidea, Nematoda) in Moroccan cattle: atypical localization and morphological characterization of females and microfilariae by light and scanning electron microscopy

Filarioid nematodes are parasites of the tissues and tissue spaces of all vertebrates except fish. Females produce microfilariae that enter the host's blood circulation or skin and may cause ocular and neurological pathology, leading to important implications in veterinary and public health. The present work is the first investigation on Setaria labiatopapillosa conducted in Morocco to characterize the morphological features of both adult and microfilaria forms. Two adult female nematodes were found free in the thoracic cavity of a slaughtered 3.5-year-old (6 teeth) Moroccan enhanced cross-breed bull which was born and raised in Morocco. The worms were identified as S. labiatopapillosa by light microscope (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) on the basis of their characteristic features of the anterior and posterior parts of the worms. The two S. labiatopapillosa worms measured 90 mm and 105 mm in length and 0.55 and 0.64 mm in width, respectively. Microfilariae were detected in the fully developed eggs contained in the uterus of both nematodes. A detailed morphology of both the adult females and larvae of S. labiatopapillosa is described using LM and SEM. Although the origin of S. labiatopapillosa analyzed in the present study is unknown and there is currently no evidence that Setaria spp. have invaded Morocco, further surveillance is warranted to determine the incidence of setariasis, identify its vectors, and take appropriate measures to protect the livestock and cattle industry of the country.

Zika; a continuous global threat to public health

Zika virus is transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, especially, Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus. About 80% of the cases do not manifest any symptoms, and it is a self-limiting, mild viral infection. In 20% of the cases and only in fraction of those who do show the symptoms, important complications including Guillaine Barre'syndrome and microcephaly may occur. The emergence of Zika in 2016 in Brazil spreading to about 70 other countries prompted the WHO officials to declare the disease a Public Health Emergency with International Concern (PHEIC). This has led to increased concerns in health authorities of almost all countries making them embark on the strengthened human and vector surveillance, vector control and clinical management of the disease. Although the main vectors of the disease have not yet been able to establish in Iran, because of their occurrence in neighboring countries as well as increased global travel and trade, the country established a national advisory committee for capacity building, vector and human surveillance and case management of Aedes-borne diseases. This study aims at performing a literature review about global situation of Zika and Aedes mosquitoes, their distribution, biology and ecology from the past to present and the threat posed to Iran. Aedes aegypti was historically present in the checklist of Iranian mosquitoes and Ae. albopictus has recently been collected from Southern Iran, however, the species has apparently failed to establish in the country as comprehensive follow up entomological surveillance could not reproduce the findings. Although Zika was not detected in Iran, considering the expansion in tourism, travel and trade to and from Zika infected and Aedes infested countries, suitable climate and favorable prediction for establishment of Aedes vectors, Iran may well be at risk of invasion of Aedes vector species and the diseases they carry. Therefore, this review is of value particularly to health authorities in Iran and other WHO Eastern Mediterranean countries for sustained vigilance and preparedness for early detection and response, including vector control.

Evaluation of Susceptibility of Aedes caspius (Diptera: Culicidae) to Insecticides in a Potent Arboviral-Prone Area, Southern Iran

Background:

Southern part of the country is a high risk for mosquito transmitted Arboviruses. This study was carried out to determine the base line susceptibility of the Aedini mosquitoes to the WHO-recommended insecticide.

Methods:

Larval collection was carried out by dipping method and adult collection occurred by suction tube from January to December 2017. The adult susceptibility test was assessed to Bendiocarb 0.1%, DDT 4%, Deltamethrin 0.05%, Lambda-cyhalothrin 0.05%, Malathion 5% and, Permethrin 0.75% at different interval times as well as at discriminative dose recommended by WHO. The larval susceptibility test was occurred using Temephos and Bacillus thuringiensis serotype H-14, at different concentrations. The LT₅₀, LT₉₀ and LC₅₀, LC₉₀ values were calculated for plotting the regression line using Microsoft office Excel software ver. 2007.

Results:

Aedes caspius was quite resistant to DDT, Malathion, Bendiocarb and showed susceptible or tolerant to other insecticides.The LT₅₀ and LT₉₀ values to DDT in this species were 157.896, and 301.006 minutes, respectively. The LC₅₀ and LC₉₀ values of Ae. caspius to Temephos were 0.000068, and 0.000130ppm, the figures for B. thuringiensis was 111.62 and 210.2ppm, respectively.

Conclusion:

A routine and continuous study for monitoring and evaluation of different species of Aedes to insectides is recommend at different parts of country for decision making.

Vertical Distribution, Biodiversity, and Some Selective Aspects of the Physicochemical Characteristics of the Larval Habitats of Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province, Iran

Background and aims: Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) are still a focus of research because of their role in the transmission of diseases and annoying biting behavior. Source reduction is an effective measure to control mosquito populations, which is based on good knowledge of larval habitats. This study was conducted to obtain that basic knowledge in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province. Methods: This study was carried out in 2011 and 2012. Geographical coordinates, altitude, pH, temperature, and the dissolved oxygen level of larval habitats were recorded by relevant devices, followed by documenting physical attributes by direct observation. In addition, the indices of biodiversity were calculated to analyze the vertical biodiversity of species. Finally, the affinity index was calculated to elucidate species co-occurrence. Results: Eighteen species were recovered from 92 larval habitats. Low- (≤ 1400 m), mid- (1401–2000 m), and high- (≥ 2001 m) altitudes lodged 7, 17, and 14 species, respectively. Further, the indices of the species richness and biodiversity for these altitudinal categories were 0.93, 1.94, and 1.58, as well as 1.54, 2.13, and 1.96, respectively. Larval habitats were mostly natural, temporary, with standing but clear water, muddy substrate, sunlit, and with vegetation. Other physicochemical characteristics and affinity of species were described and discussed as well. Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of vertical distribution and biodiversity of mosquito larvae in Iran. The relative uniformity of physicochemical characteristics of larval habitats was attributed to prevailing water resources in the studied area and sampling design. The oviposition site selection of gravid mosquitoes is still an unresolved problem which needs further investigations.

Detection of arboviruses in mosquitoes: Evidence of circulation of chikungunya virus in Iran

Mosquitoes are vectors of viruses affecting animal and human health. In Iran, the prevalence of mosquito-borne viruses remains poorly investigated. Once infected, mosquito females remain infected for all their life making virus detections possible at early steps before infections are reported in vertebrate hosts. In this study, we used a recently developed high-throughput chip based on the BioMark Dynamic arrays system capable of detecting 37 arboviruses in a single experiment. A total of 1,212 mosquitoes collected in Mazandaran, North-Khorasan, and Fars provinces of Iran were analyzed. Eighteen species were identified, belonging to five genera; the most prevalent species were Anopheles maculipennis s.l. (42.41%), Culex pipiens (19.39%), An. superpictus (11.72%), and Cx. tritaeniorhynchus (10.64%). We detected chikungunya virus (CHIKV) of the Asian genotype in six mosquito pools collected in North Khorasan and Mazandaran provinces. To our knowledge, this is the first report of mosquitoes infected with CHIKV in Iran. Our high-throughput screening method can be proposed as a novel epidemiological surveillance tool to identify circulating arboviruses and to support preparedness to an epidemic in animals and humans.

Filarial worms: a systematic review and meta-analysis of diversity in animals from Iran with emphasis on human cases

Current systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrate the prevalence reports of filariasis in animals in Iran along with human cases. Studies were screened, relevant papers were selected and the random-effect model was used by forest plot with 95% confidence interval (CI). Of 17 records of human case-reports, particularly from Khuzestan province (5 cases), Dirofilaria repens was the most detected parasite (10 cases) with higher involvement of the right eye (7 cases) than other organs. Eleven animal species were reported to be parasitised by filarioids in Iran. The prevalence of Dirofilaria immitis in canids was 14.69% (95% CI: 10.33-19.67), with highest rates (20.92%; 95% CI: 13.84-29.03) in free-ranging dogs. Male (10.07%; 95% CI: 5.10-16.47) and more than 1-year old (20.77%; 95% CI: 8.66-36.42) dogs were more likely to be found infected. The frequency of other filarioids of zoonotic interest was: Acanthocheilonema reconditum in dogs 2.15% (95% CI: 0.71-4.33), Dipetalonema evansi in camels 10.16% (95% CI: 4.73-17.34), Onchocerca cervicalis in horses 3.63% (95% CI: 1.44-6.75%) and Onchocerca fasciata 16.57% (95% CI: 10.12-24.24%) in camels. Still, our knowledge on parasitic filariae in Iran is limited and more investigation is needed in both human and animal populations.

High Transmission Potential of West Nile Virus Lineage 1 for Cx. pipiens s.l. of Iran

: Vector competence is an important parameter in evaluating whether a species plays a role in transmission of an arbovirus. Although the protocols are similar, interpretation of results is unique given the specific interactions that exist between a mosquito population and a viral genotype. Here, we assessed the infection (IR), dissemination (DR), and transmission (TR) rates of Cx. pipiens s.l., collected from Iran, for West Nile virus (WNV) lineage 1a. We showed that Cx. pipiens s.l. mosquitoes in Iran were susceptible to WNV with IR up to 89.7%, 93.6%, and 83.9% at 7, 14, and 21 days post-infection (dpi) respectively. In addition, DR and TR reached respectively 92.3% and 75.0% at 21 dpi, and the number of viral particles delivered with saliva reached up to 1.33 × 105 particles. Therefore, an unexpected high risk of WNV dissemination in the region where Cx. pipiens s.l. mosquitoes are well established should be considered carefully and surveillance measures implemented accordingly.

Autogeny in Culiseta longiareolata (Culicidae: Diptera) mosquitoes in laboratory conditions in Iran

Objectives

Culiseta longiareolata is a cosmopolitan species and has implicated in the transmission of avian malaria, tularemia, and arboviruses. Despite the wide distribution of Cs. longiareolata in Iran, little is known about its biology and physiology. The current research was conducted to study the autogeny behavior in this potential vector. During 2018, larvae and pupae were collected from Nazloo region in Urmia City using standard methods. Mosquitoes were reared in cages and fed by 5% sugar in laboratory conditions and were then dissected in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) under a stereo microscope.

Results

In total, 230 adult female Cs. longiareolata mosquitoes were dissected. Egg rafts were observed in the ovary of only 10.86% unfed female mosquitoes. Autogeny behavior is a significant factor in the growth of population without a blood feeding. Therefore, it is necessary to study how autogenous reproduction affects mosquito-borne diseases.

Identification of novel Glutathione S-Transferases epsilon 2 mutation in Anopheles maculipennis s.s. (Diptera: Culicidae)

Anopheles maculipennis complex comprises some important malaria vectors in Iran, Middle East, and Europ. The principal way to control of malaria remains on the use of chemical insecticides against its vectors because there is no vaccine for malaria prevention. Extensive use of organophosphate compounds has caused to emergence and distribution of insecticide resistance in Anopheles species in Asia. The current study aimed to the detection of three well-known amino acid substitutions (I114T, L119F, and F120L) in the Glutathione S-Transferases epsilon 2 (GSTe2) gene are associated with DDT and organophosphate insecticides resistance in an Anopheles maculipennis population collected from Iran. Adult samples of An. maculipennis were collected by hand and Total catch in Animal and Human Shelters from Azerbaijan-Gharbi and Zanjan provinces. Following morphological identification, DNA was extracted by YTA Genomic DNA Extraction Mini Kit for amplification of rDNA-ITS2 and GSTe2 fragments. ∼500 bp fragment was amplified using F rDNA-ITS2 and GSTe2 primers. rDNA-ITS2 sequence analysis showed 100% similarity with An. maculipennis. GSTe2 nucleotide sequence similarity within species was 99-100%, while, it was 95-96 % when compared with Anopheles sacharovi GSTe2 sequences available in GenBank. Amino acid sequence comparisons showed a novel amino acid substitution in N148D position with 15.79% frequency. The current study reports new GSTe2 amino acid substitution in An. maculipennis s.s., for the first time. The function of the mutation N148D and its association with resistance phenotype need to validate. However, the integration of these data into the malaria control program still remains a challenge.

Malaria situation in Iran: 2002-2017

Background

Malaria is considered as a major threat to health systems. It is still considered as one of the most important infectious diseases in Iran, but with an elimination goal in 2025. This study aimed to review the malaria situation in Iran over the 16 years.

Methods

The data was collected from epidemiological registration forms that had been completed by physicians and malaria focal points in the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Results

During the study period, 134,273 malaria cases were reported. The malaria incidence decreased from 0.24/1000 cases in 2002 to 0.01/1000 in 2017. From 2009 onward, the number of imported cases increased in comparison with the autochthonous and indigenous cases. Most cases were seen in males and people over 15 years of age. Moreover, the dominant registered reports were from rural areas. Most malaria cases were reported from the south and southeastern of Iran. Plasmodium vivax was the dominant species.

Conclusion

The dramatic drop in the incidence of autochthonous cases can hopefully support malaria elimination as a major goal in the near future.