title: Molecular characterization, biological forms and sporozoite rate of Anopheles stephensi in southern Iran.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify the biological forms, sporozoite rate and molecular characterization of the Anopheles stephensi (An. stephensi) in Hormozgan and Sistan-Baluchistan provinces, the most important malarious areas in Iran.
  
  
  METHODS
  Wild live An. stephensi samples were collected from different malarious areas in southern Iran. The biological forms were identified based on number of egg-ridges. Molecular characterization of biological forms was verified by analysis of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I and II (mtDNA-COI/COII). The Plasmodium infection was examined in the wild female specimens by species-specific nested-PCR method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results showed that all three biological forms including mysorensis, intermediate and type are present in the study areas. Molecular investigations revealed no genetic variation between mtDNA COI/COII sequences of the biological forms and no Plasmodium parasites was detected in the collected mosquito samples.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Presence of three biological forms with identical sequences showed that the known biological forms belong to a single taxon and the various vectorial capacities reported for these forms are more likely corresponded to other epidemiological factors than to the morphotype of the populations. Lack of malaria parasite infection in An. stephensi, the most important vector of malaria, may be partly due to the success and achievement of ongoing active malaria control program in the region.
authors.affiliation: Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran; Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Public Health, Urmia University of Medical Sciences (UMSU), Urmia, Iran; Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Ali Reza
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Chavshin
authors.forename: Mohammad Ali
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Oshaghi
authors.forename: Hasan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Vatandoost
authors.forename: Ahmad Ali
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Hanafi-Bojd
authors.forename: Ahmad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Raeisi
authors.forename: Fatemeh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Nikpoor
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000852:Anopheles / Q000235:genetics / Q000469:parasitology*; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000235:genetics; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000235:genetics; D004531:Eggs / Q000145:classification / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D007492:Iran; D008297:Male; D059208:Parasite Load; D010961:Plasmodium / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D034101:Sporozoites
chemical_list: D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial; D016054:DNA, Protozoan
keywords: Anopheles stephensi; Intermediate; Iran; Molecular systematic; Mysorensis; Type; mtDNA markers