Potential for the Invasive Species AedesAlbopictus and Arboviral Transmission through the Chabahar Port in Iran
Journal Title: Iranian Journal of Medical Sciences - Year 2018, Vol 43, Issue 4
Abstract
Background: Dengue, chikungunya, and Zika viruses are emerging infectious disease threats wherever suitable vectors, hosts, and habitat are present. The aim of the present study was to use the bioagent transport and environmental modeling system (BioTEMS) to identify the potential for arbovirus-infected Aedesspecies to invade the Chabahar area in southeastern Iran. Methods: ArcGIS geospatial analysis software, Statistica software, and BioTEMS were used to analyze geographic information and conduct data analysis. BioTEMS utilizes up to several hundred abiotic and biotic factors to produce risk and vulnerability assessments for biological agents and infectious diseases. The output of BioTEMS was validated using published predictive models, and most importantly published collection data of Aedesspecies in Iran. Results: There appears to have been two separate invasion events by Ae. albopictus into the southern region of Iran, first preceding 2009 and then again in 2013. BioTEMS identified two probable areas of introduction during the 2009 time frame, either through one or both the Chabahar ports or the Iranshahr airport with subsequent spread through vehicular transport. BioTEMS identified the port as an introduction zone for ZIKAV with high-risk zones and identifies gap zones during the 2013 time frame. Recommended surveillance sites are provided. Conclusion: The air and maritime ports of Iran serve international customers, and are therefore vulnerable to import and invasion of mosquito vectors and arboviruses. Based on comparisons with other published low-resolution models, BioTEMS provides information for medical and public health professionals conducting integrated mosquito management, preventive medicine, and epidemiological surveillance.
Authors and Affiliations
Thomas Kollars
Anticonvulsant Activity of Viola tricolor against Seizures Induced by Pentylenetetrazol and Maximal Electroshock in Mice
Background: Recently, there has been much more interest in the use of medicinal plants in search of novel therapies for human neurodegenerative diseases such as epilepsy. In the present study, we investigated the anticon...
An Experimental Study on Spinal Cord µ-Opioid and α2-Adrenergic Receptors mRNA Expression Following Stress-Induced Hyperalgesia in Male Rats
Background: Intense stress can change pain perception and induce hyperalgesia; a phenomenon called stress-induced hyperalgesia (SIH). However, the neurobiological mechanism of this effect remains unclear. The present stu...
Radioprotective Efficacy of Lutein in Ameliorating Electron Beam Radiation-induced Oxidative Injury in Swiss Albino Mice
Background: Lutein, a carotenoid compound, has previously been studied for its antioxidant and medicinal properties as well as the moderate protection it confers against gamma radiation. This study aimed at evaluating th...
Placenta Site Trophoblastic Tumor and Choriocarcinoma from Previous Cesarean Section Scar: Case Reports
Choriocarcinoma and placental site trophoblastic tumor (PSTT) are rare varieties of gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD). PSTT alone constitutes about 1-2% of all trophoblastic tumors, which presents at early reproduc...
Turner Syndrome: A Unique Mosaic Case with 45,X/47,XX,+21/46,XX Cell Lines
We report an extremely rare case of Turner syndrome mosaicism in a 30-year-old woman. At least 100 metaphases were observed and analyzed through GTG banding with over 550 band resolutions observed. G-banded chromosome an...