First molecular evidence of head louse Pediculus humanus capitis B clade in Iran

Background: Despite significant advances in education and health sector, contamination with head louse remains a threat to health community. This blood-sucking parasite comprises six mitochondrial clades displaying some geographic differences. However there is no evidence on clade composition in Iran.Objectives: The aim of this study was to distinguish the mitochondrial clades and the geographical origin of Iranian human head louse Materials and Methods: 450 head louse specimens were mechanically isolated from infested patients in cities of Shoush (south), Ardabil (North West), Karaj (center) and Golestan (north). A fragment of about 680 bp of mitochondrial COI (mtDNA-COI) gene were amplified and the DNA sequences were analyzed for clade identification.Results: Blast search showed the Iranian specimens were highly similar to the specimens from USA and South Africa. Phylogenetic analysis using the sequences obtained in this study with available data on all A-B-C-D-E-F clades revealed a high association between Clade (haplotype) B and the Iranian populations indicating the specimens studied belong to clade BConclusion: Previous studies suggested that North American is the origin of mitochondrial haplotype B of head lice. It is likely that lice of clade B migrated to Europe, Asia including Iran, if not already present, and extend its geographical distribution.

کلیدواژه ها:

Head louse ، Iran ، Haplotype B ، Distribution ، mtDNA ، COI gene