First evidence of Bartonella phoceensis and Candidatus Mycoplasma haemomuris subsp. ratti in synanthropic rodents in Malaysia

Rodent-borne leptospirosis is by far the most common bacterial zoonosis and it is an important emerging global public health concern in Southeast Asia.Bacterial pathogens associated with rodents,especially those that live in close association with humans have been underreported.To fill this knowledge gap,the present study was undertaken to explore other neglected disease agents that can naturally infect synanthropic rodents.

Fauna and relative frequency of synanthropic flies in the biggest Persian Gulf Island,Qeshm,Iran

Objective:To identify the diversity and relative abundance of medically important species of synanthropic flies and their seasonal activity on Qeshm Island in Persian Gulf,Iran.Methods:Flies collection was performed during March 2011 to February 2012 in all different areas of the island by using the common fly trap and plastic water bottle fly trap,reverse-cone model,containing tainted lamb or beef meat as bait.The captured flies were identified by using valid flies systematic keys,checklists and species description.The relative abundances and seasonal activity of flies were estimated by means of flies captured per trap in every month.Results:In this study a total number of 11 species of medically important flies in three families including Calliphoridae,Sarcophagidae and Muscidae,were collected.The relative mean abundance of flies was estimated to be 6.3±1.1 per trap.The most abundance was seen in rural areas in the south of Qeshm Island with 10.1±1.5 per trap.In this island,medically impotent flies had two peaks of activity in early spring and early autumn,during April and October.Flies activity decreased in July and August due to the high increase of temperature and humidity of the weather.In February,the relative decrease in air temperature reduced the activity of the flies.Conclusions:Diversity and abundance of flies in spring and early autumn were higher than other seasons,especially in rural areas of Southern Qeshm Island.Insect control measures should be conducted during the peak of flies activity.

Diversity of Phlebotomine sand flies(Diptera: Psychodidae) in mountainous and plain areas of an endemic focus of anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis in Iran

Objective: To determine the diversity of sand flies in different biotopes of mountainous and plain areas of Bam County as the most infected focus of anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis in southeast Iran, and synanthropic index of Phlebotomus sergenti Parrot, and Phlebotomus papatasi Scopoli as the main vectors of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Iran.Methods: Sand flies were captured once a month using sticky traps in domestic, peri-domestic, agricultural, and sylvatic biotopes in the plain and mountainous areas. Alpha diversity indices, including richness, evenness, Shannon-Wiener;beta diversity indices(Jaccard’s and Sorensen’s similarity indices) and synanthropic index were calculated. Results: A total of 2 664 specimens of 9 sand fly species were collected from mountainous(47%) and plain(53%) areas. Species richness, species evenness, and Shannon-Wiener indices were obtained as 9, 0.637, and 1.399, respectively in the mountainous area. Phlebotomus sergenti and Phlebotomus papatasi were constant species with the synanthropic index of-18.463 and-29.412, respectively. In addition, species richness, species evenness, and Shannon-Wiener indices were 4, 0.690, and 0.956, respectively in the plain area. Phlebotomus sergenti and Phlebotomus papatasi were dominant species with the synanthropic index of +9.695 and +36.207, respectively. Similarity indices were low among different biotopes of plain and mountainous areas.Conclusions: A basic knowledge about the diversity of sand flies in various biotopes is essential to design sound control programs. Biodiversity and synanthropic indices of sand flies are different in plain and mountainous areas due to the difference in biotic and abiotic factors between the two areas.