Iranian Journal of Parasitology最新文献

{"title":"Survival of <i>Trichinella spiralis</i> and <i>T. pseudospiralis</i> in Experimentally Infected Wild Boar Muscle Tissue under Freezing and Environmental Conditions.","authors":"Clara Bessi, Mariano Emmanuel Ercole, Fernando Adrian Fariña, Francisco Montalvo, Valeria Fassa, Marcelo Acerbo, Miriam Mabel Ribicich, Mariana Inés Pasqualetti","doi":"10.18502/ijpa.v19i4.17166","DOIUrl":"10.18502/ijpa.v19i4.17166","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The aim of this study was to investigate the survival of <i>Trichinella spiralis</i> and <i>T. pseudospiralis</i> in decaying wild boar tissue and assess their freezing tolerance in experimentally infected animals.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The present study was conducted in Buenos Aires City, Argentina during the 2018-2019 period. Two wild boars were used, one infected with 20,000 muscle larvae (ML) of <i>T. spiralis</i> and the other with <i>T. pseudospiralis</i>. Both animals were euthanized 19 weeks post-infection. Limbs from each boar were placed over soil in plastic containers to assess ML survival in decaying tissue, under natural temperature and humidity, shielded from rain. Weekly samples were taken for artificial digestion, and the ML were inoculated into mice to determine their reproductive capacity index (RCI). Additionally, to evaluate the freezing tolerance of the ML, muscle samples were stored at -18°C. Six samples were taken and digested after 2, 4, 7, 9, 11, and 14 days, with subsequent inoculation into mice to assess RCI.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong><i>T. spiralis</i> remained infective in decaying wild boar tissue for 11 weeks, while <i>T. pseudospiralis</i> remained infective for only 4 weeks. The freezing tolerance assay showed that <i>T. spiralis</i> ML remain infective for 9 days. However, <i>T. pseudospiralis</i> ML remain infective for only 2 days at -18°C.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The findings highlight the survival strategies of <i>T. spiralis</i> and <i>T. pseudospiralis</i> in different environmental conditions, which may have implications for understanding their transmission dynamics in wild animals.</p>","PeriodicalId":14669,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Journal of Parasitology","volume":"19 4","pages":"457-464"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11671818/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142903092","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Lung Cyst Hydatid Extracted via Bronchoscopy and the Necessity of Surgery: A Case Report.","authors":"Oguz Karcioglu, Ayşen Kara, Olcay Kurtulan, Serkan Uysal, Ziya Toros Selçuk","doi":"10.18502/ijpa.v19i4.17170","DOIUrl":"10.18502/ijpa.v19i4.17170","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><i>Echinococcus granulosus</i> remains a global public health issue. Although predominantly affecting the liver, the lungs are the second most affected organ and often undergo surgical intervention. Here, a case managed by bronchoscopy and medical therapy is presented. A 26-year-old woman was presented with a cough, hemoptysis, and a 5 kg weight loss in the last two months. Chest imaging identified a 4 cm centrally cystic mass lesion in the middle lobe of the right lung, which was suspicious of lung cancer. Bronchoscopy revealed a whitish, plastic-like object that was difficult to extricate and obstructed the middle lobe bronchus. We removed the material and purulent secretions covering it and opened the middle lobe bronchus totally. The histopathological study verified its consistency with hydatid cyst. There was no evidence of a hydatid cyst on computerized thomography after bronchoscopy. The lesion in the left lobe of the liver, confirmed to be suggestive of a hydatid cyst via ultrasonography, was treated using the PAIR technique. We administered oral albendazole to continue the treatment. It may be a reasonable approach to postpone surgery in order to preserve lung tissue in patients who have undergone complete removal of hydatid cyst material via bronchoscope.</p>","PeriodicalId":14669,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Journal of Parasitology","volume":"19 4","pages":"484-488"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11671833/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142902472","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Acute Kidney Failure Confused with Thrombocytopenic Thrombocytic Purpura in Malaria: A Case Report.","authors":"Pinar Gurkaynak, Nejla Yılmaz Gocen, Ahmet Mert Yanık","doi":"10.18502/ijpa.v19i4.17171","DOIUrl":"10.18502/ijpa.v19i4.17171","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Malaria has become widespread, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, owing to disruptions experienced during the Covid-19 pandemic. Both cerebral malaria and acute kidney injury are important indicators of severe malaria. Depending on the degree of acute renal failure, hemodialysis/hemofiltration treatment is required. Our patient was a 22-year-old male from the Republic of Chad. The patient with confusion came to our country 15 days prior and was admitted to the internal medicine intensive care unit. Initially, Thrombocytopenic Thrombocytic Purpura (TTP) was considered because of clinical and laboratory similarities. As the patient had a history of coming from an endemic area, anemia, thrombocytopenia, and splenomegaly, malaria was considered. The patient was diagnosed with <i>falciparum</i> malaria due to the presence of multiple ring-shaped trophozoites and banana gametocytes. The patient with cerebral malaria, hyperparasitemia (parasite load 15%), hyperbilirubinemia and acute kidney injury was considered to have severe malaria. Intravenous artesunate was planned, but since it could not be obtained immediately, oral artemether+lumefantrine was started, and the patient became conscious at the 24th hour of treatment. During the follow-up, the patient's creatinine levels increased to 6.9, and the patient was subjected to hemodialysis several times. After effective hemodialysis and antimalarial treatment, the patient was discharged without sequelae on the 20th day of hospitalization. This case report is thought to be important in that it emphasizes that the diagnosis of malaria may be delayed due to its confusion with microangiopathic hemolytic anemias, and that it emphasizes the importance of correct management of complications.</p>","PeriodicalId":14669,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Journal of Parasitology","volume":"19 4","pages":"489-495"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11671832/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142902427","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Current and Emerging Techniques for Diagnosis of Toxoplasmosis in Pregnancy: A Narrative Review.","authors":"Aref Teimouri, Shima Mahmoudi, Atefeh Behkar, Keivan Sahebi, Hassan Foroozand, Gholamreza Hassanpour, Hossein Keshavarz","doi":"10.18502/ijpa.v19i4.17159","DOIUrl":"10.18502/ijpa.v19i4.17159","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> is an intracellular parasite capable of crossing the placenta in pregnancy and infecting the developing fetus, leading to various congenital anomalies and even abortion. Acute <i>Toxoplasma</i> infection is responsible for almost all cases of congenital toxoplasmosis in immunocompetent pregnant women. Prenatal screening for acute toxoplasmosis primarily involves maternal serology and fetal ultrasound imaging. When serological or ultrasound findings suggest acute infection, further diagnostic tests are necessary to confirm fetal infection. Currently, molecular methods to detect the parasite's DNA, including polymerase chain reaction-based methods, on amniotic fluid are the gold standard tests for the diagnosis of congenital toxoplasmosis. In this review, we aim to discuss various aspects of screening and diagnostic methods for toxoplasmosis in pregnancy, including (i) current serological assays, screening approaches, and future perspectives; (ii) the role of imaging techniques, with an emphasis on ultrasound; (iii) principles and recent advances in diagnostic molecular methods; (iv) emerging techniques, such as point-of-care-based tests and biosensors, and microRNAs as novel biomarkers of acute infection; and (v) an overview of screening programs in different countries, important epidemiological determinants, and recommendations for <i>Toxoplasma</i> screening health policies.</p>","PeriodicalId":14669,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Journal of Parasitology","volume":"19 4","pages":"384-396"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11671817/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142902436","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Genetic Characteristics of <i>Echinococcus granulosus</i> from Fixed Paraffin-Embedded Tissue Samples in Human Isolates Based on the High-Resolution Melting Point Analysis in Sabzevar, Northeast Iran.","authors":"Hossein Elyasi, Tahmine Farbodnia, Ehsan Javaheri","doi":"10.18502/ijpa.v19i3.16388","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18502/ijpa.v19i3.16388","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>There are ten genotypes of <i>Echinococcus granulosus</i> with different intermediate and final hosts affecting the parasite's life cycle and its transmission to humans. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the genotype of isolated hydatid cysts using the simple and fast high-resolution melting point analysis (HRM) method.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The paraffin tissue samples of patients who underwent surgery were obtained from the pathology sample bank of Vasei and Emdad Hospitals in Sabzevar, Iran during 2010-2020. The DNA content of the samples was extracted after collecting and determining the characteristics using the DNA extraction kit. PCR was performed on the samples and the presence of the hydatid cyst genome was confirmed using the special Master Kit. Mix PCR of Solis Biodyne Company and Real-Time device (Bio-Rad) were used, and the genetic identity of hydatid cysts were determined.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Out of 33 paraffin samples, 21 samples contained hydatid cyst DNA, two of which were from the brain and 19 from the liver tissues; 12 samples did not contain hydatid cyst DNAs. All liver samples were from sheep species (G1), and the brain samples were from buffalo species (G3). Therefore, 9.53% of the <i>Echinococcus</i> species collected were buffalo (G3), and 90.47% were sheep (G1) strain.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Based on previous patterns, HRM methods can be used for easy and quick identification of <i>Echinococcus</i> strains. The G1 strain was the dominant strain causing hydatid cyst in different human organs, including the liver and brain.</p>","PeriodicalId":14669,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Journal of Parasitology","volume":"19 3","pages":"305-313"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2024-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11417986/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142346882","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effectiveness of Miltefosine Nanoemulsion Concerning the Treatment of Acute and Chronic Toxoplasmosis: In Vivo Study.","authors":"Gholam Reza Valizadeh, Mohammad Mahdi Mahboubian, Amir Hossein Maghsoud, Fatemeh Mirzaei, Seyedmousa Motavalli Haghi, Faezeh Foroughi Parvar, Mohammad Fallah","doi":"10.18502/ijpa.v19i3.16389","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18502/ijpa.v19i3.16389","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong><i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> is one of the most common parasites worldwide. It is of great importance to identify new potential drugs that are effective and less harmful in pregnant women and newborns. We investigated nanoemulsion miltefosine (NEM) in treating experimental acute and chronic toxoplasmosis.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A combination of triacetin, Tween 80, and ethanol (1:2) was used for the development of NEM formulations. The size of NEM was calculated to be 17.463 nm by DLS and TEM. To investigate the performance of miltefosine (MLF), NEM, sulfadiazine (SDZ), and pyrimethamine (PYR) (positive control) in vivo, acute toxoplasmosis was induced in mice by an intraperitoneal injection of RH strain tachyzoites. After five days, the mice were examined for the number and condition of tachyzoites and histopathological changes in the liver and spleen. Chronic toxoplasmosis was investigated in rats and the number and size of brain cysts along with histopathological changes were assessed in different groups.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The results of the in vivo assessment of drugs in acute toxoplasmosis showed the following order regarding a decrease in the number of tachyzoites and an increase in survival rate: SDZ&PYR > NEM > MLF. The effects of drugs on chronic toxoplasmosis showed a significant effect of NEM (50%) on reducing the number of cysts compared to SDZ&PYR (10%) and MLF (12%) and reducing the size of NEM brain cysts (21%) compared to SDZ&PYR (5 %) and MLF (8%).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Increasing the penetration of NEM through the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and subsequently reducing the number and size of <i>T. gondii</i> tissue cysts is a promising new drug in treating chronic toxoplasmosis.</p>","PeriodicalId":14669,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Journal of Parasitology","volume":"19 3","pages":"314-324"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2024-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11417982/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142346880","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Dirofilariasis in Male Genitalia: A Case Report and Literature Review.","authors":"Rūta Žulpaitė, Aušvydas Patašius, Julius Drachneris","doi":"10.18502/ijpa.v19i3.16396","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18502/ijpa.v19i3.16396","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Human dirofilariasis is a rare anthropo-zoonotic disease, mainly detected in Southern and Eastern Europe, Asia Minor, Central Asia, and Sri Lanka. An increasing number of autochthonous <i>Dirofilaria</i> spp. infections has been recently reported in the areas previously considered free of the disease, including northern Europe and the Baltic States. A rare autochthonous case of scrotal dirofilariasis detected in Lithuania was described. Here, a 42-year-old male presented with a 1 cm nodule, limited in the scrotum. A nodule excision was performed. On histological examination, a degenerating roundworm with the features of <i>Dirofilaria</i> spp. (multilayered cuticle, well-developed musculature, focally preserved longitudinal ridges) was detected in the abscess cavity. No additional treatment was needed. Twenty-four publications reporting 28 male genitalia dirofilariasis cases in European countries have been identified.</p>","PeriodicalId":14669,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Journal of Parasitology","volume":"19 3","pages":"358-365"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2024-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11417985/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142346879","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A New Immunogenic Structure of Polyepitopic Fusion against <i>Leishmania major</i>: In Silico Study.","authors":"Saeed Pirmoradi, Mohammad Darvish Khadem, Zohre Monjezi, Somayeh Bahrami, Chukwunonso O Nzelu","doi":"10.18502/ijpa.v19i3.16387","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18502/ijpa.v19i3.16387","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The lack of complete protection against leishmaniasis and the challenges of anti-leishmaniasis drug treatment have made the treatment process more difficult. This study aimed to develop a new strategy for preparing a vaccine against cutaneous leishmaniasis using some of the antigenic proteins of the <i>Leishmania</i> parasite.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study was carried out in 2022 at Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran. After preparing suitable epitopes of the <i>Leishmania</i> parasite and examining their antiparasitic properties, the process of making a fusion vaccine was performed and with the help of various bioinformatics tools, physicochemical and structural properties as well as immunological and simulation properties were studied and finally optimized. Construction and cloning were performed in the <i>E.coli</i> K12 system and finally, the docking process was performed with Toll-like receptors (TLRs), major histocompatibility complex I (MHC-I), and MHC-II receptors. With the help of selected epitopes of the <i>Leishmania</i> parasite, which had a high percentage of population coverage, a stable, antigenic, and non-allergenic chimeric vaccine was predicted.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The results of the structural analysis of the TLR5vaccine complex and simulation of its molecular dynamics showed a sufficiently stable binding. It also showed good potential for stimulation and production of active B cells and memory, as well as the potential for CD8+ T, CD4+ T cell production and development of Th2 and Th1-induced immune responses.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Computational results showed that the designed immunogenic structure has the potential to adequately stimulate cellular and humoral immune responses against <i>Leishmania</i> parasitic disease. As a result of evaluating the effectiveness of the candidate vaccine through in vivo and in vitro immunological tests, it can be suggested as a vaccine against <i>Leishmania major</i>.</p>","PeriodicalId":14669,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Journal of Parasitology","volume":"19 3","pages":"290-304"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2024-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11417980/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142346877","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Case Notification of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis at Different Elevations in the North-Central Ethiopia from 2018 To 2022.","authors":"Bizuayehu Gashaw, Endalew Yizengaw, Endalkachew Nibret, Addisu Workineh, Feleke Tilahun","doi":"10.18502/ijpa.v19i3.16395","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18502/ijpa.v19i3.16395","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>We aimed to analyze a four-year trend of Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) to determine risk levels and hotspots in North-central Ethiopia.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This retrospective study was conducted at Boru Meda Hospital (BMH) from March to April 2023, focusing on CL patients treated at the leishmaniasis treatment center (LTC). Data collected included age, gender, CL type, and other clinical factors. Each patient's origin was traced and geographically mapped by elevation to assess CL risk levels.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>There were a total of 573 CL patients reported from 46 districts, with a higher number of male patients (n=356) compared to female patients (n=217) (<i>P</i> <0.001). The median age of the patients was 21 years [15-30], with the highest number of CL cases observed among individuals aged 16 to 30 years. The majority of cases (69%) presented with localized CL (LCL). About 39% of patients had a previous treatment history for CL. A significant clustering of CL cases was observed at elevation of 2301-3300 meters above sea level (χ2:17.5; <i>P <</i>0.001), with the highest incidence (case notification) of 14.2/100,000 population.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Foci of CL, were burdened at higher elevations and no clinical variation were observed between elevation differences. The majority of cases were concentrated in an area covering approximately 21.4% of the total land mass. CL continues to be a significant issue in North-central Ethiopia and has the potential to spread to new areas.</p>","PeriodicalId":14669,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Journal of Parasitology","volume":"19 3","pages":"349-357"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2024-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11417984/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142346878","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Feeding Behavior and <i>Plasmodium</i> Detection in <i>Anopheles stephensi</i>, a Malaria Vector in District Khyber, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.","authors":"Mahnoor Arif, Syed Basit Rasheed, Habib Ullah, Tawaf Ali Shah, Faiz Ur Rehman, Turki M Dawoud","doi":"10.18502/ijpa.v19i3.16393","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18502/ijpa.v19i3.16393","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong><i>Anopheles stephensi</i> is a significant malaria vector in Pakistan, and understanding its feeding behavior is necessary to control the spread of malaria. However, limited information is available on the host preferences of <i>A. stephensi</i> in Pakistan. Therefore, we aimed to explore the feeding behavior of <i>A. stephensi</i>, a malaria vector, in the District Khyber, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A total of 7462 mosquitoes were collected between March and September 2021, with 1674 (22.4%) identified as <i>A. stephensi</i> (952 female and 722 male). Among the female <i>A. stephensi</i>, 495 (52%) were blood-fed. DNA was extracted from the blood-fed female <i>A. stephensi</i> mosquitoes using the Ammonium Acetate Precipitation Method followed by PCR analysis, blood meal sources were identified. Nested PCR on 191 pooled samples was used to detect <i>Plasmodium falciparum</i> and <i>Plasmodium vivax</i>.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Cattle blood meals were predominant (73%), followed by human (20%) and chicken (7%), with no dog blood meals detected. All individual mosquito samples were negative for <i>Plasmodium falciparum</i>, while two pooled samples (out of 191) tested positive for <i>P. vivax</i>.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong><i>A. stephensi</i> in Khyber District primarily displayed anthropophagic feeding behavior, with a small portion of the population infected with <i>P. vivax</i>. The results underscore the importance of targeted vector control strategies, environmental management, community engagement and continuous monitoring to suppress malaria transmission.</p>","PeriodicalId":14669,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Journal of Parasitology","volume":"19 3","pages":"333-340"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2024-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11417983/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142346881","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}