Molecular-based Survey of Rickettsia spp. and Coxiella burnetii in Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) from Fars Province, Southern Iran, during 2017-18

Abstract

Objectives: Since there have not been any studies on the roles of the Iranian mosquitoes in the transmission of Rickettsia spp. and Coxiella burneti, the present study investigates the roles of mosquitoes in the transmission of the pathogens using the PCR techniques for the first time in Iran. Methods: The present study was conducted in Fars province during the activity seasons of mosquitoes in 2017-18. The primer design was done to investigate the probability of mosquito’s contamination with Rickettsia spp. and Coxiella burnetii. The conventional PCR was used after the extraction of DNA from mosquitoes to study the contamination. Results: A total of 1103 adult mosquitoes were collected and identified. Among them, 3 genera and 11 species were identified, including Anopheles (25.74%), Culex (51.84%) and Culiseta (22.39%) genera. All tested mosquitoes were negative in terms of contamination to Rickettsia spp. and Coxiella burnetii. Conclusion: Based on the results, mosquitoes are not considered as vectors of Rickettsia spp. and Coxiella burnetii in this part of the country currently. Further studies on a larger scale are needed to examine the exact role of mosquitoes (as a possible vector with high abundance and mobility) in the transmission of these pathogens in tropical areas of Iran.

Investigation of Rickettsia conorii in Patients Suspected of Having Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever

“…However, Rickettsia spp. was not detected among adult mosquitoes from Fars province in southern Iran in 2017 and 2018 and in the blood of camels in central and southeastern Iran in 2019 [16,18]. In contrast, Rickettsia spp.…”

“…Climatic conditions, specific vectors, and natural host restriction are the contributory factors for the endemicity of R. conorii in the Mediterranean region, including North Africa, southern Europe, and the Middle East. Limited data are available regarding rickettsial infections in Iran [8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18]. In a study conducted in 1995, a high proportion of positive human sera were identified by a rickettsial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (45%) kit in Iran.…”