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Background & Objective: Visceral leishmaniasis (kala-azar) is an infectious-parasitic disease occurring sporadically in various parts of Iran. The disease is endemic in Ardabil, East Azarbaijan, Bushehr and Fars provinces. This study was performed with the aim of evaluation and comparison of direct agglutination test (DAT), indirect immunofluorescent antibody (IFAT) and ELISA in sero-diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis that is following a seroepidemiological survey in Germi district of Ardabil province.
Methods: Cluster sampling has been performed from ≤12 years old and 10% of the adult population in Germi district. Altogether 1155 blood specimens were collected to detect anti- Leishmania antibodies. The samples were tested by direct agglutination test (DAT), indirect immunofluorescent antibody (IFAT) and ELISA methods.
Results: 32 (2.8%) of the collected specimens have anti-Leishmania antibodies with titers ≥1:800 and from total specimens 7 (0.6%) were positive with ≥1:3200 titers. In IFA test 32 (2.8%) have titers ≥1:40 and from total specimens 6 (0.52%) were positive with ≥1:320 titers. In ELISA test 8 specimens were positive and other specimens were negative.
Conclusions: According to the results of this study, IFAT and ELISA are specific and high sensitive tests for sero-diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis but these methods are expensive and require the complicated tools. Whereas, DAT is a simple method, not expensive and require a simple local laboratory with one or two trained technicians. Therefore DAT could be used for seroepidemiological studies and sero-diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis in endemic areas instead of IFA and ELISA methods.

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Leishmania parasites as the causative agent of leishmaniasis belong to Trypanosomatidae family. Parasite, vector, vertebrate host and environment are major factors in pathogenesis of Leishmania. 
Parasite dependent factors are virulence factors which exist in Leishmania species such as LPG, GP63. In recent years, the importance of these factors in the field of vaccine and drug has been considered by researchers. Sand fly biting behavior and salivary gland proteins are vector dependent factors which are effective in the Leishmania pathogenesis. Age, gender, nutrition, immune system, infectious diseases, genetic, occupation, socio-economic characteristics, and habitat are vertebrate host mediated factors. Temperature, rainfall, wind and its speed, soil, and continuous changes in climate are also environmental factors. Therefore the aim of this study was to evaluate the pathogenesis of Leishmania parasites.
 

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Background: Opportunistic pathogens such as Cryptosporidium, Isospora belli, Blastocystis, etc. cause various gastrointestinal and non-digestive diseases in people with HIV. These symptoms are especially severe in people with HIV who have a CD4 count of less than 200. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of parasitic infections in people living with HIV in Tabriz.
Methods: This cross-sectional and descriptive study was performed on137 people with HIV referred to Behavioral Disease Counseling Centers in Tabriz, 2019-2021. Then, after receiving written consent, fecal samples were collected and evaluated for the detection of parasitic infections using direct methods, Ziehl-Neelsen and Trichrome Weber stain.
Results: A total of 137 stool samples were collected, including 93 males and 44 females. Most of them were in the age range of 20-60 years. The overall frequency of parasitic infections was 57.7% and the highest prevalence was related to Blastocystis 24.1% and Cryptosporidium 14.6%.
Conclusion: Due to the relatively high prevalence of parasitic infections, especially Blastocystis and Cryptosporidium in people with HIV in Tabriz, which can endanger the health of these patients, essential interventions, including personal hygiene training to control and prevent infection with these pathogens, seem to be necessary.