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Sand fly fever is caused by Naples (SFNV) and Sicilian viruses (SFSV) and the closely related Toscana virus of the Phlebovirus genus in the family Bunyaviridae, and transmitted by Phlebotomine sand flies. Phlebotomus papatasi Scopoli, 1786 is known as the main vector of the disease. This study aimed to investigate the distribution of Phlebotomine sand flies as vector of sand fly fever viruses, and the effects of some environmental variables on their potential dispersion to new areas in some provinces of Iran. Sand flies were collected during their active season in the region using CDC light traps. Ecological parameters were recorded for each collection site. Arc GIS 10.3 software was used for data analysis and mapping the distribution of sand flies. Sampling in the study areas was carried out in six different climatic zones. Seventeen sand fly species were collected including eight species of genus Phlebotomus and nine species of genus Sergentomyia. The Medium Semi-Arid climatic zone had the highest species diversity. Fourteen species of sand flies were collected at altitude between 2 and 325 m, and seven species were collected between 326 and 1380 m above sea level. There was significant correlation between sand fly density and all tested environmental variables. Phlebotominae sand flies have wide distribution in Iran and have a major public health concern in the country. P. papatasi and Sergentomyia sintoni Pringle, 1933 prefers hot summers and rainfall. This poses a threat of transmission of sand fly fever caused by SFSV and SFNV across the country.

Populations of Phlebotomus major were examined in two endemic and nonendemic foci of visceral leishmaniasis in Iran. Based on the shape of the aedeagus and ventrally located hairs of coxite and pharyngeal armatures, two morphotypes were found sympatrically in the endemic area of Borazjan. Significant differences in morphometric survey were observed in at least 11 measured characters. The aedeagus of the non-endemic Miyandoab morphotype, and also of a few specimens from Borazjan, is completely parallel throughout its length with a slightly expanded end. Ventrally located hairs of the middle coxite were longer and more compact. It is close morphologically to P. major neglectus (P. neglectus), which was recently recorded from Iran. It is also morphologically similar to P. notus, which has not yet been reported from Iran and needs further investigation. The aedeagus of the morphotype occurring only in Borazjan is narrower in the middle and the hairs are closer to the base of the coxite and are shorter and more outspread, which makes it similar to P. major krimensis or P. neglectus. The two morphotypes occurring sympatrically in Borazjan do not appear to be subspecies and it may be premature to propose them as separate species. Further investigation is needed to clarify the actual status of P. major s. l. in Iran.

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Background: Different forms of leishmaniasis are significant infectious diseases in Iran. While, Rudbar County of Gui­lan Province has been introduced as a new cutaneous leishmaniasis focus, there are few published data about the phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) of the province. Methods: To study the phlebotomine fauna of Rudbar County, the sampling was performed in 12 collection sites by light traps, sticky traps and manual aspirators throughout August–December 2015. Sand flies were removed from the sticky traps, rinsed in acetone and stored in 80% ethanol along with the collections of light traps and hand catch­es. Results: In total, 2186 sand flies were collected and ten species representing two genera were morphologically identi­fied: Phlebotomus (Adlerius) halepensis (0.27%), Ph. (Larroussius) kandeladii (0.10%), Ph. (Lar.) neglectus (0.91%), Ph. (Lar.) perfiliewi (53.88%), Ph. (Lar.) tobbi (43.45%), Ph. (Paraphlebotomus) sergenti (0.82%), Ph. (Phlebotomus) papatasi (0.10%), Sergentomyia (Parrotomyia) baghdadis (0.27%), Se. (Sintonius) clydei (0.05%) and Se. (Sin.) tiberi­adis (0.10%). The species Ph. halepensis, Ph. neglectus, Ph. perfiliewi, Se. baghdadis, Se. clydei and Se. tiberiadis were reported for the first time in Guilan Province. This study also verified the presence of Ph. neglec­tus (Ph. major krimen­sis as a synonym and morphotype) in Iran. Moreover, the taxonomy of the subgenus Larrous­sius of the province was discussed. Conclusion: The prevalence of suspected or proven cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis vectors is noteworthy. The study of ecology of sand flies and detecting the exact vectors of leishmaniasis and phlebotomine fever by molecular specific tests in Guilan Province are recommended.

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The findings of this study demonstrated that the main causative agent of CL in Ilam Province is L. major, and there is no considerable heterogeneity among the L. major isolates. Moreover, nagt gene proved to be an efficient marker for differentiating Leishmania species. Further studies with more samples need to be carried out to achieve a more comprehensive result on the genetic variation of L. major isolates.