Departement of parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine Islamic Azad University Mashhad Branch | Iran
Dr. Aliyar Mirzapour is an accomplished Iranian parasitologist and medical researcher affiliated with the Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad Branch. His scholarly contributions span a wide range of parasitic diseases, with a strong emphasis on systematic reviews, meta-analyses, molecular diagnostics, zoonotic parasites, and epidemiological patterns of infections affecting both humans and animals. Over the years, Mirzapour has contributed significantly to understanding soil-transmitted helminths, protozoan infections, zoonotic risks, and vector-borne diseases prevalent in Iran and across the globe. His work has been widely referenced, demonstrating growing recognition within the parasitology and public health communities. One of his most influential collaborations includes research on Toxoplasma gondii and Toxocara spp., where he co-authored systematic reviews and meta-analyses exploring global and regional prevalence, geo-climatic factors influencing infection, and the potential association of parasitic exposure with neurological disorders such as schizophrenia. These studies have provided valuable insights into risk factors, transmission dynamics, and the public health burden of toxoplasmosis and toxocariasis, helping policymakers prioritize preventive strategies. Mirzapour has also contributed to investigations on soil contamination in public areas, documenting the presence of Toxocara eggs and Toxoplasma oocysts, which represent critical sources of human infection. His work in this area has strengthened awareness about environmental hygiene and zoonotic disease management. In addition to epidemiological research, Mirzapour has conducted laboratory-based and molecular studies focused on Leishmania species, Echinococcus granulosus, nontuberculous mycobacteria, and helminths. Notably, he has published reports on cutaneously infected patients with mixed Leishmania species, explored intra-species diversity using ITS1-rDNA analysis, and participated in designing multi-epitope recombinant antigens aimed at improving diagnostic accuracy for cystic echinococcosis. His work on immunomodulation, particularly studies involving naltrexone and naloxone as vaccine adjuvants against Fasciola hepatica, reflects his interest in advancing vaccine formulations and host-immune response research. Mirzapour’s contributions further include parasitological surveys in wildlife and zoo animals, identification of rare parasites such as Bivitellobilharzia nairi in elephants, and diagnostic studies using high-performance liquid chromatography for Mycobacterium species differentiation. His broad expertise, spanning field sampling, molecular techniques, immunology, and evidence synthesis, highlights his dedication to improving parasitic disease control and public health outcomes. Through consistent publication and collaboration, Aliyar Mirzapour has established himself as a valuable researcher in contemporary parasitology.
Featured Publications
Behravan, M., Panahi, A. H., Naghizadeh, A., Ziaee, M., Mahdavi, R., … (2018). Facile green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Berberis vulgaris leaf and root aqueous extract and its antibacterial activity. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 781.
Maleki, B., Ahmadi, N., Olfatifar, M., Gorgipour, M., Taghipour, A., Abdoli, A., … (2021). Toxoplasma oocysts in the soil of public places worldwide: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 115(5), 53.
Maleki, B., Khorshidi, A., Gorgipour, M., Mirzapour, A., … (2017). Prevalence of Toxocara spp. eggs in soil of public areas in Iran: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Alexandria Journal of Medicine, 52.
Rostami, A., Riahi, S. M., Omrani, V. F., Wang, T., … (2020). Global prevalence estimates of Toxascaris leonina infection in dogs and cats. Pathogens, 9(6), 503.
Nourollahpour Shiadeh, M., Esfandyari, S., Ashrafmansouri, M., … (2020). The prevalence of latent and acute toxoplasmosis in HIV-infected pregnant women: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Microbial Pathogenesis, 45(10), 149.
Rostami, A., Riahi, S. M., Esfandyari, S., Habibpour, H., … (2021). Geo-climatic factors and prevalence of chronic toxoplasmosis in pregnant women: A meta-analysis and meta-regression. Environmental Pollution, 288.
Taghipour, A., Habibpour, H., & Mirzapour, A. (2021). Toxocara infection/exposure and the risk of schizophrenia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine & Hygiene, 115(3), 18.
Mirzapour, A., Kiani, H., Mobedi, I., Spotin, A., Tabaei, S. J. S., & Rahimi, M. (2018). Frequency of intestinal parasites among zoo animals by morphometric criteria and first report of the Bivitellobilharzia nairi from elephant (Elephas maximus maximus) in Iran. Iranian Journal of Parasitology, 13(4), 611.