Pasteur Institute of Iran

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[No Abstract] Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is considered as the most important arboviral infection in Iran. Early diagnosis of CCHF is essential for preventing the spread of the infection and providing appropriate treatment to patients. Given that clinical symptoms of CCHF may overlap with other common infectious disease; differential diagnosis is a matter of great importance. In this report, we describe a case of rheumatoid arthritis intoxicated with methotrexate mimicking CCHF. This observation suggests that non-infectious medical conditions such as drug toxicity should be considered as a possible differential diagnosis of CCHF.

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Introduction: Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) is a fatal tick-borne viral zoonosis with a case fatality rate of 5% to 30%. CCHF has been documented as the most frequent tick-borne viral infection in Iran with more than 50 cases annually. Kerman Province in the south of Iran is one of the CCHF-endemic areas of the country, but no data on infection of ticks with this virus from this area is available. This study aimed to investigate the CCHFV infection among ticks collected from 4 different counties in this province. Methods: In 2011, a total of 203 hard ticks were collected from Kerman, Jiroft, Sirjan, and Kuhbanan counties in Kerman Province, southeast of Iran. Infection of ticks with CCHFV was investigated using RT-PCR targeting the small segment of the viral genome. Results: Out of 203 ticks, Dermacentor (50.24%) was the most frequent genus followed by Hyalomma (39.39%), Haemaphysalis (9.85%) and Rhipicephalus (0.49%). Our results showed no CCHFV infection of ticks. Conclusion: Our finding indicates no circulation of CCHFV in ticks from Kerman Province. However, as Kerman Province is an endemic region for CCHF, further investigations are needed to have a better understanding of the CCHFV vectors in this region.

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Introduction: Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) is a zoonotic viral infection transmitted mainly via CCHF virus-infected ticks between vertebrate hosts. The disease occurs in almost all provinces of Iran. This study investigated the CCHFV infection in hard ticks collected from livestock in the Sistan region of Sistan and Baluchestan Province, southeast of Iran. Methods: In this study, ticks were collected from 220 livestock, including 150 sheep, 50 goats, 20 cows in five counties of Sistan Province (Zabol, Zehak, Hirmand, Nimruz, and Hamun). The ticks were identified under a stereomicroscope according to valid morphological keys. A reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method was used to detect the CCHFV genome via amplifying the S segment. Results: Among 100 selected ticks, RT-PCR revealed no CCHFV infection. Conclusions: Although no ticks were positive for CCHFV, it should be recalled that Sistan and Baluchestan province is among the highly endemic CCHF foci. As a result, further investigation and larger sample sizes are required to confirm our outcome. According to the hypothesis that direct contact with viremic livestock is more significant than tick bites in the viral transmission, more serological and molecular screening should be performed on high-risk individuals, e.g., slaughterhouse staff, ranchers, farmers, and veterinarians in the Sistan region.

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Introduction: Rabies is a deadly viral disease that persists in many countries, causing mortality in both humans and animals. Raising public awareness is crucial for rabies control, and World Rabies Day serves as an annual platform to educate communities and promote strategies for the prevention and eventual elimination of this disease globally. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the World Rabies Day conference, held on September 28, 2024, which adopted a One Health approach to coordinate the activities of the Ministry of Health, the Veterinary Organization, and the WHO Collaborating Center for Reference and Research on Rabies. The conference aimed to disseminate information and enhance the capacity of targeted health professionals across Iran to implement effectively rabies control strategies. Conference structure and highlights: This conference was conducted in a hybrid format, featuring both in-person and online sessions. Participants could attend either in person or virtually via webinar. Key topics discussed included rabies virology and pathogenesis, epidemiology, the roles of veterinary organizations and the Iranian CDC, education and prevention strategies, treatment protocols, and virus detection methods. The insights gained from this scientific event are expected to inform policy decisions and guide the efforts of health authorities and relevant organizations in effectively controlling rabies in Iran. Conclusion/impact: Raising awareness about rabies virus virulence and the importance of rabies control within both medical and veterinary fields is crucial for achieving elimination goals. By providing targeted training to health professionals and educating the public, the conference and the broader One Health approach can contribute to significant progress towards rabies control and eventual elimination in Iran. This integrated approach fosters collaboration and strengthens the capacity for effective rabies prevention and control measures.