Discovery of Ornithodoros tholozani, the Main Vector of Iranian Tick-born Relapsing Fever.

Abstract

Doctor Joseph Désiré Tholozan was a French physician who became the special physician of Nassereddin Shah, King of Persia (Iran) in the 19^th century. He studied lots of topics in the field of epidemiology of infectious diseases. His efforts led to the discovery of the main vector of Iranian tick-born relapsing fever, Ornithodoros tholozani. He was also one of the pioneers of the Iranian Sanitary Council, whose efforts led to the foundation of the Ministry of Health of Iran a few decades later. This paper is a brief review of his biography and his roles in promoting health in Iran in the 19^th century.