Journal of Arthropod-Borne Diseases
Volume:2 Issue: 2, Dec 2008

Combination of cyromazine as an Insect Growth Regulator (IGR) and Nasonia vitripennis (Hymenop tera: Pteromalidae) a parasitic wasp may be an effective tool for reducing the house-fly populations in poultry houses and livestock farms. This study was conducted to assess the side effects of the IGR cyromazine on the level of parasit ism and numbers and the longevity of emerged N. vitripennis parasitoids from house fly pupae. Cyromazine treated cloth target was used as the contaminating method of the parasitoids which was ap plied in this research study. The Weibull distribution showed that there was no significant difference among controls and cyromazine treated targets for longevity data. There was no significant effect of cyromazine on the level of parasitism of N. vitripennis using 2 test. One-way ANOVA showed that the actual numbers emerging were significantly higher in the control than in two cyromazine treatments; however، it is a useful phenomenon because of reducing the hyperparasitism. There is a good consistency between using N. vitripennis and 1. 1% or 0. 9% cyromazine treated targets. There fore cyromazine treated targets can be applied as a safe delivery vehicle for applying the cyromazine IGR in the poultry houses and livestock farms in an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program.

Bifenthrin and Acorus calamus Linn extract were evaluated against dengue vectors in the laboratory. Both Bifenthrin and Acorus calamus Linn crude hexane extract were bioassayed against the adults and larval stages of dengue vectors Aedes aegypti L. and Aedes albopictus(Skuse) in the laboratory. The A. calamus crude hexane extract exhibited a larvicidal activity against 4th-instar Ae. aegypti larvae with LC50 and LC90 values of 0.4418 and 11.3935 ppm respectively. The plant crude extract exhibited against Ae. albopictus larvae with a higher LC50 and LC90 values of 21.2555 ppm and 36.1061 ppm, respectively. There was a significant difference on the effect of A. calamus extract on both Aedes spp. Larvae (P< 0.05). However, bifenthrin showed a significant difference on larvicidal effect to that of A. calamus hexane extract on both Aedes spp (P< 0.05). In testing the adulticidal activity, this plant extract exhibited the LC50 and LC90 values of 17.4075 and 252.9458 ppm against Ae. aegypti and a higher LC50 and LC90 values of 43.9952 and 446.1365 ppm respectively on Ae. albopictus. There was no significant difference on the effect of A. calamus extract on both Aedes spp adults (P> 0.05). Bifenthrin however showed a significant difference on both Aedes spp adults (P< 0.05). With the wide availability of A. calamus in Malaysia, it could be utilized for controlling dengue vectors.

Mosquitoes transmit several diseases to human. There are several measures for control of larvae. As part of Integrated Vector Management (IVM) program, the utility of floating layers of polystyrene beads (EPS) is a po­ten­tial alternative in habitats of mosquito larva. EPS beads prevent oviposition of mosquito as well as killing the im­ma­ture stages by forming a tick layer on the water surface. They are cheap, environmentally safe and do not need fre­quent application and remain on the surface of water for long time. The objective of the current study was to asses the effectiveness of two types of polystyrene beads of (EPS) and (SWAP) for control of mosquito larvae under labo­ra­tory conditions. Anopheles stephensi and Culex quinquefasciatus were used for experimental purposes. In each tray 250 lar­vae of late 3rd and early 4th instars were introduced. The experiment was conducted on 4 replicates for An. ste­phensi, Cu. quinquefasciatus and combination of both. Emerging of adult mosquitoes were calculated every day until the end of experiments. Mortality rate and Inhibition of Emerge (IE) for Cu. quinquefasciatus, An. stephensi and combination of both spe­cies was 97.8%, 100% and 99.07%, respectively using EPS. In average, EPS was able to kill 98.9% of lar­vae. The fig­ures with SWAP were 63%, 91.05% and 72.65%, respectively. The average mortality for mosquitoes was 75.57% EPS and SWAP beads can be very effective and practical for elimination of An. stephensi and Cx. quinquefas­ciatus under the laboratory conditions.

An epidemiological study was carried out on the vector(s) and reservoir(s) of cutaneous leishmaniasis in rural areas of Kalaleh District, Golestan Province during 2006 - 2007. Totally 4900 sand flies were collected using sticky papers and were subjected to molecular methods for de­tection of leishmanial parasite. Phlebotomus papatasi was the common species in outdoor and indoor resting places. Employing PCR tech­nique showed only 1 out of 372 P. papatasi (0.3%) was positive to parasite due Leishmania major. Sixteen ro­dent reservoir hosts were captured by Sherman traps and identified as Rhombomys opimus. Microscopic investiga­tion on blood smear of the animals for amastigote parasites revealed 6(37.5%) infected rodents. Infection of these ani­mals to L. major was then confirmed by PCR against rDNA loci of the parasite. This is the first molecular report of parasite infection of both vector (P. papatas) and reservoir (R. opimus) to L. major. The results indicated that P. papatas was the primary vector of the disease and circulating the para­site between human and reservoirs, and R. opimus was the most important host reservoir for maintenance of the para­site source in the area.

West Azerbaijan is considered as a main region for domestic animal breeding. Due to importance of herd as a main host and ticks as a vector of relapsing fever and CCHF, a comprehensive study was undertaken in the region. Outdoor, indoor collection as well as ticks stick to the animals'' body were collected and identified. The study was conducted during the whole seasons in 2004-2005. During four seasons a total of 2728 ticks of two families (Ixodidae and Argasidae) were collected compris­ing 7 genera of 5 hard ticks and two genera of soft ticks including Haemaphysalis, Hyalomma, Rhipicepha­lus, Boophilus and Dermacentor. The soft ticks were Ornithodoros and Argas. These 7 genera included 18 species. The main species were Haemaphysalis inermis, H. punctata, H. sulcata, H. numidiana, H. concinna, Hyalomma mar­gi­natum, Hy. anatolicum, Hy. detritum, Hy. dromedarii, Hy. asiaticum, Hy. schulzei, H. aegyptium, Rhipicephalus bursa, R. sangiuneus, Dermacentor marginatus, Boophilus annulatus, Ornithodoros lahorensis, and Argas persicus. Fre­quency of ticks during different seasons was different. A pyrethroid insecticide, cypermethrin, which is widely used for tick control was tested against soft ticks. The test method was based on WHO recommendation. At the LD50 level A. persicus needs more concentration than O. lahorensis. Ornithodoros and Argas are the more prevalent soft ticks in the region. Distribution and prevalence of hard ticks was varied in different seasons. Results of this study will provide a clue for vectors of tick-borne diseases in the region for local authorities for implementation of tick control.

Dung beetles of Coleoptera associated to undisturbed cattle droppings in pastures present great diver sity and abundance. Dung beetles also play an important role for transmission of some helminthes to human and cat tle. This study was made to survey the biodiversity and abundance of these beetles in Ardebil Province, western Iran. According to the field study all beetles attracted to fresh cow dung in five areas of Ardebil Province in cluding Namin, Ardabil, Meshkinshahr, Neer and Sarein were collected and identified. They were collected during summer 2007 from June to September, with general peaks appearing to be correlated with temperature mainly at 11 a.m to 15 p.m. The samples were identified using appropriate systematic key A total of 231 specimens belonging to 9 beetle genera and at least 15 species were identified as Euoniticel lus fulvus, Sisyphus schaffaer, Euonthophagus taurus, Copris lunaris, Chironitis pamphilus, Gymnopleurus coriarus, Euonthophagus amyntas, Caccobius schreberi, Onthophagus speculifer, Onthophagus furcatus, Aphodius, lugens, Apho dius fimetarius, A. scrutator, Geotrupes spiniger and G. stercorariusThe most abundant and diverse subfamilies were Coprinae, Geotrupinae, and Aphodiinae. We found 15 species of dung beetles occurred in the region. The prevalence of each species is varied depending on location. Some of them play an important role for helminths transmission of veterinary and public health importance. The finding will provide a clue for pasture management as well as public health monitoring and surveillance of the disease transmitted by dung beetles.

Considering the prevalence of leishmaniasis in Iran and many side effects associated with pentavalent antimony compounds use in its treatment, this study was designed to evaluate the effect of Artemisia sieberi essence on the experimental ulcers of cutaneous leishmaniasis on BALB/c mice. This experimental research was performed to determine the effect of various concentrations of Artemisia essence in BALB/c mice previously infected with active Leishmania major promastigote. A total of 50 infected BALB/c mice were randomly divided into 5 groups. Three groups (30 mice) were used in the experimental condi­tions and the others were assigned as the control groups. The experimental groups received 1%, 3% and 5% of Ar­temisia, respectively. One of the control groups received ethanol 80% and the other received no treatment. The drug was administered by dropping the liquid on the top lesions, three times daily for maximum of 30 d. Every 10 days the ulcers diameter were measured and sampled for amastigote in all groups. Ulcers diameter changes were deter­mined by statistical tests. After 30 days, diameter of CL lesions increased in 1%, 3% and 5% Artemisia concentrations and the control groups. Ulcers got bigger with the more concentration. Treatments could not reduce the diameter or caused small lesions. In addition, the mice direct smears in microscopic studies were positive. To find the effective concentration and the mechanism of the effectiveness of the drug, further investi­gations with less concentrates of A. sieberi essence are recommended.

Trypanosoma are extra-erythrocytic, protozoan parasites of domestic and wild animals. It is transmitted by biting flies and a cause of fever, anemia, myocarditis and corneal opacity. In the present study, Trypanosoma infection is reported in a male bull dog of two years age at Lahore, Pakistan. Clinical signs and symptoms of infection are re­corded. Confirmation of case was done by microscopic examination of Trypanosoma organism in thick blood smear. Furthermore, their effect on certain hematological parameters was studied and concluded that there was decrease of hemoglobin (Hb) concentration and packed cell volume (PCV) while erythrocytes sedimentation rate (ESR) was increased in the infected dog. The animal was successfully treated with single dose of diminazene diaceturate at the dose rate of 3.5 mg/kg body weight, intramuscularly alongwith the supportive therapy.