Rami et al. (2018) also introduce native Asaia sp. (Acetobacteraceae), isolated
from five Anopheles species for malaria vector control via paratransgenesis technology. They conclude the fact that the vector populations were collected from different
zoogeographical zones in the South, East, and North of Iran suggest that this
candidate can tolerate the complicated environmental conditions of the vectorborne diseases endemic regions.
On the other hand, Soltani et al. (2017) indicate correlation between the presence
of symbiotic bacteria in An. stephensi and resistance to temephos. Laboratory
removal of bacteria from symbiotic organs could result in manipulation of resistant
population to susceptible.
16.2.2 Leishmaniasis
There are two forms of leishmaniasis in Iran, cutaneous and visceral. From the
transmission point of view, cutaneous leishmaniasis has two subgroups: Zoonotic
Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (ZCL) and Anthroponotic Cutaneous Leishmaniasis
(ACL) (Yaghoobi-Ershadi 2012). Herein, around 80% of reported leishmaniasis
cases were recorded as ZCL (Akhavan et al. 2007).
Nevertheless, a number of studies proved the efficacy of entomopathogenic fungi
like B. bassiana and M. anisopliae on sand flies (Reithinger et al. 1997; Amora et al.
2009; Ngumbi et al. 2011), these agents have not been employed in control of sand
flies in the country.
Sant’Anna et al. (2014) discovered colonisation of sand fly gut with yeast and
bacteria like Asaia reduces the potential for Leishmania (Trypanosomatidae) to
establish within the sand fly vector. On the other hand, six fungal genera including
Penicillium, Aspergillus, Acremonium, Fusarium, Geotrichum and Candida have
been found in wild-caught phlebotomine sand flies in northwest Iran. Presence of
some bacteria such as Asaia sp. was recognized as well (Akhoundi et al. 2012). This
possibility that microbial composition of female sand fly may influence Leishmania
transmission necessitates further studies on the role of this microbiome in regulating
sandfly competence.
Parvizi et al. (2013a) detected two strains of Wolbachia pipientis (Turk54 and
Turk07) belonging to group A, in natural populations of Phlebotomus mongolensis
(Diptera: Psychodidae) and Ph. caucasicus, potential vectors of ZLC, from Turkmen
Sahra, Northern Iran. Strain Turk54 had previously been isolated from Phlebotomus
papatasi but strain Turk07 was a new record for these vector species. The opportunity of using these endosymbionts to drive transgenes through wild sand flies and
reduce their natural population is promising. Moreover, Phlebotomus perfiliewi
transcaucasicus, potential vector of visceral leishmaniasis, infected with
W. pipientis haplotypes pave the way for release of genetically-modified Wolbachia
within the vector populations (Parvizi et al. 2013b).
Various groups of rodents are main natural reservoirs for leishmaniasis especially
for ZCL in Iran (Yaghoobi-Ershadi 2012). It has been assumed that control of
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H. H. Allahverdipour and K. Akbarzadeh
from five Anopheles species for malaria vector control via paratransgenesis technology. They conclude the fact that the vector populations were collected from different
zoogeographical zones in the South, East, and North of Iran suggest that this
candidate can tolerate the complicated environmental conditions of the vectorborne diseases endemic regions.
On the other hand, Soltani et al. (2017) indicate correlation between the presence
of symbiotic bacteria in An. stephensi and resistance to temephos. Laboratory
removal of bacteria from symbiotic organs could result in manipulation of resistant
population to susceptible.
16.2.2 Leishmaniasis
There are two forms of leishmaniasis in Iran, cutaneous and visceral. From the
transmission point of view, cutaneous leishmaniasis has two subgroups: Zoonotic
Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (ZCL) and Anthroponotic Cutaneous Leishmaniasis
(ACL) (Yaghoobi-Ershadi 2012). Herein, around 80% of reported leishmaniasis
cases were recorded as ZCL (Akhavan et al. 2007).
Nevertheless, a number of studies proved the efficacy of entomopathogenic fungi
like B. bassiana and M. anisopliae on sand flies (Reithinger et al. 1997; Amora et al.
2009; Ngumbi et al. 2011), these agents have not been employed in control of sand
flies in the country.
Sant’Anna et al. (2014) discovered colonisation of sand fly gut with yeast and
bacteria like Asaia reduces the potential for Leishmania (Trypanosomatidae) to
establish within the sand fly vector. On the other hand, six fungal genera including
Penicillium, Aspergillus, Acremonium, Fusarium, Geotrichum and Candida have
been found in wild-caught phlebotomine sand flies in northwest Iran. Presence of
some bacteria such as Asaia sp. was recognized as well (Akhoundi et al. 2012). This
possibility that microbial composition of female sand fly may influence Leishmania
transmission necessitates further studies on the role of this microbiome in regulating
sandfly competence.
Parvizi et al. (2013a) detected two strains of Wolbachia pipientis (Turk54 and
Turk07) belonging to group A, in natural populations of Phlebotomus mongolensis
(Diptera: Psychodidae) and Ph. caucasicus, potential vectors of ZLC, from Turkmen
Sahra, Northern Iran. Strain Turk54 had previously been isolated from Phlebotomus
papatasi but strain Turk07 was a new record for these vector species. The opportunity of using these endosymbionts to drive transgenes through wild sand flies and
reduce their natural population is promising. Moreover, Phlebotomus perfiliewi
transcaucasicus, potential vector of visceral leishmaniasis, infected with
W. pipientis haplotypes pave the way for release of genetically-modified Wolbachia
within the vector populations (Parvizi et al. 2013b).
Various groups of rodents are main natural reservoirs for leishmaniasis especially
for ZCL in Iran (Yaghoobi-Ershadi 2012). It has been assumed that control of
588
H. H. Allahverdipour and K. Akbarzadeh