BACKGROUND Zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) is a polymorphic disease which may show various symptoms. Genetic diversity of the parasite is suggested to be one of the factors influencing the clinical manifestation of the disease. METHODS This study used PCR for the detection and identification of leishmanial parasites at the species level and applied a multilocus microsatellite typing ap...

Background: Pediculus capitis or head louse infestation affects millions of children worldwide, especially those in the 5–11 years age group. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of head pediculosis among school children in urban and rural areas of Fars Province, southern Iran. Methods: All school children of age 6-11 yr from both genders in all urban and rural areas of the province wer...

BACKGROUND In recent years use of family physicians has been determined as a start point of health system reform to achieve more productive health services. In this study we aimed to assess the cost-efficiency of the implementation of this plan in Fars province, southern Iran. METHODS This cross-sectional descriptive study was done in 2007 in 18 provincial health centers as well as 224 rural ...