Molecular detection of Leishmania isolated from Cutaneous leishmaniasis patients in Jask County,Hormozgan Province,Southern Iran,2008

Objective:To investigate on patients leishmanial infections in Jask County.Methods: Impression smears were prepared from patients in 2008,all,were chequed for leishmanial infection by microscopy and molecular assays.Whole D.NA was extracted using Proteinase K and Phenol/Chloroform/Isoamyl alcohol method.The variable segment on minicircles of kineloplasl DIVA was amplified via a Nested-PCR technique using species-specific primers(LIN R4-LIN 17 -Lin 19).Results:A total of 40 smears were prepared from 20 patients,from which,eight samples (40%) were positive for leishman body by microscopic method,while,18 samples(90%) were positive,molecularly.The parasite was identified as Leishmania major(L major).Conclusions: Zoonotic or Rural cutaneous leishmaniasis is endemic in Jask County whose pathogen is L major.Molecular assays using specific primers are very accurate and more sensitive and specific than microscopy which is time consuming and needs master mieroscopists.

Co-detection and isolation of Leishmania and Crithidia among naturally infected Tatera indica(Rodentia: Muridae) in Fars province, southern Iran

Objective:To explore the co-detection of natural infection of Trypanosomatidae parasites such as Leishmania and Crithidia in reservoir hosts of leishmaniasis.Methods:Rodent populations were monitored in two endemic foci of cutaneous leishmaniasis of Fars province,southern Iran from March to October 2016.Rodents were trapped alive in several parts of Shiraz and Kharameh cities.Afterwards,their organs were prepared for detection of Leishmania and Crithidia species by molecular,microscopic,and culture methods.Results:Totally,115rodents of five species;Tatera indica(T.indica)(85),Rattus rattus(12),Meriones libycus(9).Mus musculus(7),and Rattus norvegicus(2),were trapped alive and their tissue samples were examined using microscopic,cultivation,and molecular assays.Overall,59(51.3%)rodents were positive for Leishmania or Crithidia parasites.The highest rate(61.2%;52/85)of Leishmania infection was related to the T.indica population.The cultivatioin,and molecular observations showed that two(2.4%;2/85)of T.indica(foot-pad,and spleen samples)were positive to Crithidia.Conclusions:This is the first report of Crithidia infection in T.indica in Iran.Consequently,more epidemiological and ecological studies are needed to understand the role of Crithidia and Leishmania in T.indica.

First record of Necrobia rufipes (De Geer, 1775) (Coleoptera: Cleridae) from Khuzestan Province,southwest of Iran, a beetle species of forensic importance

Objective: To introduce Necrobia rufipes as a forensic important species in the study area.Methods: This study was performed using a laboratory bred rat (Wistar rat) weighing 352 g as a model for decomposition. The rat was killed by contusion and placed in a semi-desert location. Observations and collections of beetles were made daily during May to July 2015.Results: Decomposition time for the rat lasted 38 days and Necrobia rufipes was seen in the bloat to decay stages of body decomposition.Conclusions: The species of beetle found in this case could be used in forensic investigations particularly during the warm season in future.