Traumatic myiasis agents in Iran with introducing of new dominant species,Wohlfahrtia magnifica(Diptera:Sarcophagidae)

Objective:To study agents of animal wound myiasis in various geographical districts of Fars province.Methods:This study has been done in Fars province,located in the southern part of Iran.Sums of 10358 domestic animals have been visited from April 2011 to March 2012.The infected wounds in any parts of animal body were sampled by means of forceps.Results:About 61%of all animal wound myiasis were caused by larvae of Wohlfahrtia magnifica.The most wound myiasis cases due to this species occurred in central part of Fars province.There wasn't any significant difference between sheep and goat in infestation with myiasis(P>0.05).The infestation rate of myiasis in cattle community was 0.86%.Conclusions:The infestation rate of livestock was lower than other works in Iran and some other countries like Saudi Arabia.Chrysomya bezziana has been mentioned as main myiasis agent in Iran.But in this study it cleared that similarly to some European countries,the common animal myiasis agent in Iran is Wohlfahrtia tnagnifica.Introducing new species as principal agent for myiasis can help public health and animal husbandry policy makers to prepare sufficient and effective control and/or preventive measures for this disease.

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.

GC-MS analysis and anti-mosquito activities of Juniperus virginiana essential oil against Anopheles stephensi(Diptera: Culicidae)

Objective: To investigate phytochemicals present in the essential oil from aerial parts of eastern red cedar, Juniperus virginiana(J. virginiana) L.(Cupressaceae) and to determine its killing and repellent activities against larvae, pupae, and adults of the Asian malaria mosquito, Anopheles stephensi(Diptera: Culicidae). Methods: J. virginiana essential oil was extracted by hydrodistillation, and its chemical composition was determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Seven different logarithmic concentrations of J. virginiana essential oils were used in larvicidal and pupicidal assays. J. virginiana essential oils-impregnated bed nets were applied in a designed animal module to test excito-repellent activity against adult mosquitoes. Results: Fourteen constituents corresponding to 99.98% of J. virginiana essential oils were identified. Five main components were terpinen-4-ol(25.21%), camphor(19.89%), E-3-hexen-1-ol(13.30%), γ-terpinene(7.86%), and l-menthone(2.27%). The LC_(50) and LC_(90) values against larvae of the Anopheles stephensi were 11.693 and 66.140 ppm and for pupae were 9.640 and 40.976 ppm, respectively. In excito-repellency assay, J. virginiana essential oilsimpregnated bed nets provided an average of 54.63% protection for guinea pig and 45.37% mortality for the mosquitoes. Conclusions: Four monoterpenes and one leaf alcohol were identified by gas chromatographymass spectrometry. J. virginiana essential oils showed potent larvicidal, pupicidal, adulticidal, and repellent activities against Anopheles stephensi at acceptable concentrations. Evaluation of bioactivity of identified chemicals(alone or in combination) will provide new eco-friendly substances for mosquito-management programs.

The effects of exposure to pesticides on the fecundity status of farm workers resident in a rural region of Fars province,southern Iran

Objective:To investigate the prevalence of fecundity and other reproductive problems among a group of farmers in Kavar district of Fars province,southern Iran.Methods:A total of 268 randomly selected married male farm workers were investigated.A questionnaire was devised and validated[Cronbach'sα-coefficient(0.81)].Subjects were directly interviewed and the questionnaire forms were completed for them.Results:The prevalence of current primary infertility aniong the studied population was about7.4%(P=0.001).Similarly,6.3%of farm workers had offsprings with congenital malformations.Finally,1.5%and 9%of farmers'wives had a history of stillbirth and abortion,respectively.It was concluded that the prevalence of current primary infertility were higher aniong farm workers families than in the normal population(P<0.05).Additionally,stillbirth and spontaneous abortion were more common in the wives of farm workers than in the normal population,although the difference did not reach statistical significance.Conclusions:These effects are likely to be attributed to the exposure of farm workers to pesticides.

Therapeutic applications of collagenase(metalloproteases): A review

Non-invasive therapeutic methods have recently been used in medical sciences. Enzymes have shown high activity at very low concentrations in laboratories and pharmaceutical,enabling them to play crucial roles in different biological phenomena related to living organism, especially human medicine. Recently, using the therapeutic methods based on non-invasive approaches has been emphasized in medical society. Researchers have focused on producing medicines and tools reducing invasive procedures in medical.Collagenases are proteins which catalyze chemical processes and break the peptide bonds in collagen. Collagen may be generated more than the required amount or produced in unsuitable sites or may not degrade after a certain time. In such cases, using an injectable collagenase or its ointment can be helpful in collagen degradation. In both in vitro and in vivo tests, it has been revealed that collagenases have several therapeutic properties in wound healing, burns, nipple pain and some diseases including intervertebral disc herniation, keloid, cellulite, lipoma among others. This review describes the therapeutic application of collagenase in medical sciences and the process for its production using novel methods, paving the way for more effective and safe applications of collagenases.