Background: Malaria, caused by Plasmodium parasites, is transmitted to humans through the bites of infected Anopheles mosquitoes. Laboratory-reared Anopheles mosquitoes play a crucial role in advancing research aimed at eliminating malaria transmission, particularly zoonotic malaria caused by Plasmodium knowlesi in Malaysia. Anopheles cracens, an incriminated vector for P. knowlesi, remains relatively underexplored in laboratory-based vector research and still lacks a clearly defined optimal starvation duration for its blood feeding. This study assessed the length of starvation duration against the female mosquito feeding rate, in order to determine the optimal starvation duration. Methods: The mosquitoes were subjected to various starvation durations (6, 8, 10, 12, 14 and 16 hours) before blood feeding. All other key parameters were kept constant. For each starvation duration, 25 female An. cracens mosquitoes were exposed to the blood meal, and the experiment was repeated a total of three times (n= 75 for each starvation duration). Results: The results showed a positive association between starvation duration and feeding rate, with longer starvation durations leading to higher feeding rates. The 16-hour starvation group achieved the highest feeding rate at 68% (68–72%). However, no statistically significant differences were observed among the groups due to high variability in the data. Conclusion: In conclusion, a positive trend between starvation duration and feeding success was observed. Further studies with larger sample sizes and controlled physiological states will enable more precise determination of the optimal starvation threshold and its influence on P. knowlesi infection rates under laboratory conditions
Background: West Nile virus (WNV) is a neurotropic pathogen transmitted by mosquito vectors. The present study was designed to determine the seroprevalence of WNV in Konya Province and to investigate potential associations between seropositivity and sociodemographic and socioeconomic characteristics. Methods: The study was conducted at Necmettin Erbakan University Hospital from April to August 2024 and included the analysis of serum samples from 720 blood donors and 300 individuals recruited from paediatric outpatient clinics. WNV-specific antibodies were detected using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and Indirect Immunofluorescence Test (IIFT). The potential impact of sociodemographic, socioeconomic and environmental factors (including age, gender, residential area, education level, income, occupation, outdoor exposure, animal contact, travel history and underlying medical conditions) on seropositivity was investigated. Categorical variables were compared using the chi-square or Fisher’s exact test and associated factors were assessed by multivariable logistic regression. Results: ELISA-based serological analysis identified WNV IgM positivity in 50 samples (4.9%) and IgG positivity in 17 samples (1.7%). In total, 67 serum samples were classified as WNV-seropositive. Among 1,020 participants, ELISA screening identified 50 (4.9%) IgM-reactive samples, including 25 (2.45%) positive and 25 (2.45%) borderline results. ELISA IgG was positive in 17 participants (1.7%), including 16 (1.6%) positive and one (0.1%) borderline sample. Conclusions: The findings provide the first comprehensive serological evidence of WNV circulation in Konya and its surrounding regions, suggesting that this area may represent a potential endemic zone.
Background: Mosquitoes of the genus Aedes are among the most important vectors of human and animal pathogens worldwide. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was performed across both national and international scientific databases to identify studies concerning the taxonomy, distribution, ecology, biology and medical importance of Aedes species in Iran. The search encompassed all relevant publications available up to June 2026. Results: To date, a total of 15 Aedes species have been reported in Iran, including Aedes aegypti, Ae. albopictus, Ae. caspius s.l., Ae. vexans, Ae. geniculatus, Ae. flavescens, Ae. echinus, Ae. pulcritarsis, Ae. caballus, Ae. detritus, Ae. unilineatus, Ae. vittatus, Ae. leucomelas, Ae. asiaticus, and Aedes cinereus. These species inhabit a wide range of ecological environments, from coastal salt marshes and floodplains to forest tree holes and man-made containers. Several species, particularly Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus, are of significant public health concern due to their established role as vectors of arboviruses. These mosquitoes are invasive members of the genus Aedes. Other species, including Ae. caspius s.l., Ae. vexans, Ae. vittatus, Ae. caballus and Ae. unilineatus, have also been implicated in the transmission of various viral and parasitic pathogens. Recent records of newly recognized species, such as Ae. asiaticus and Ae. cinereus, have further expanded the known diversity of Aedes mosquitoes in Iran. Conclusion: Continued entomological surveillance, taxonomic studies, and ecological investigations are essential to improve understanding of species distribution and to strengthen preparedness for the emergence and spread of Aedes-borne diseases in the country.
Background: Canine tick-borne diseases from Ehrlichia and Anaplasma pose rising veterinary and zoonotic risks. In Iran, data on their prevalence in dogs and ticks are scarce. This cross-sectional study examined molecular rates, phylogenetic traits, and blood disorders in high-exposure dogs, aiming to clarify infection patterns and health consequences in this understudied region. Methods: Blood samples and ticks were collected from 138 dogs in Tehran City, divided into 3 groups (tick-infested indoors, tick-infested outdoors and thrombocytopenics without ticks) and used for hematological/biochemical profiling, molecular detection and phylogenetic analysis targeting the 16S rRNA gene. Results: The study found molecular prevalence of Ehrlichia canis and Anaplasma platys at 21.7% and 11.6%, with outdoor dogs highest; indoor dogs had no A. platys. Infection rates peaked in 1–3-year-old dogs. Rhipicephalus sanguineus was the sole tick collected. Thrombocytopenia signaled TBD exposure, prompting molecular screening. Phylogenetic 16S rRNA analysis confirmed genus identity and placed samples within global clusters, yet revealed no region-specific lineages due to gene conservation. Ehrlichiosis showed lower hematocrit, hemoglobin, neutrophils, and monocytes, with higher leukocytes and lymphocytes versus anaplasmosis; thrombocytopenia was prominent in both. Elevated Alanine transaminase, Aspartate Aminotransferase and globulin, and reduced albumin, were more prominent in Ehrlichiosis. Conclusion: These findings confirm active circulation of E. canis and A. platys in Tehran's canine population, with outdoor exposure as a key risk factor, and demonstrate that E. canis induces more pronounced clinicopathological abnormalities than A. platys.
