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Coccidian (Apicomplexa: Coccidia) parasites have been reported in almost all groups of vertebrates. These parasites may cause serious ecological and pathological effects to their hosts. Reptiles were found the be the host of the parasites of the genera Schellackia and Lankesterella, as these parasites undergo their entire life cycle in the reptilian body, with an intermediate stage of dormancy in the tissues of a hematophagus transmitter (generally a mite or a mosquito), until the next reptilian host swallows the infected insect. However, very little is known about the prevalence and intensity of these parasites in most of their distribution area, which is the focus of the current study. To do so, the prevalence and intensity of these blood parasites in three species of lizards, including Ophisops elegans, Trapelus lessonae and Eremias monticola from Markazi Province of Iran were investigated. Samples of blood were collected from the caudal vein of 51 lizards of the aforementioned species by insulin syringes, then the blood smears were dried, fixed with methanol and stained with Giemsa solution. Prepared blood samples were then examined by means of light microscopy, using a 100× magnification objective lens. 41 percent of the 51 examined samples were found to be infected by haemococcidians blood parasites from the family Lankesterellidae. The mean intensity of parasites in the three species were between 0.03-0.05%. The investigation revealed a relatively high percentage of prevalence and intensity of blood parasites in lizards of central part of Iran. The results showed the presence of a complete set of various vectors for the spread of haemoparasites in the area. Therefore, future researches are strongly recommended to utilize genetic markers in order to obtain a better identification of the parasites.
 
 

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Stem cells have received serious attention from the medical industry based on their unique abilities and characteristics for precise and personalized medical approaches. To optimize and modify the behavioral characteristics of these cells for various clinical and research applications, it is usually necessary to create phenotypic changes resulting from permanent or transient genetic manipulations in these cells. Previously radiation and chemical reagents were used for random mutation induction in their genome but today, with the development of targeted modification tools like nucleases, it is possible to change only the desired gene and trait both inside the genome and episomally. Favorable gene transferring is accomplished with the help of different biological, chemical, or physical mediators and procedures. This literature review addressed the importance and necessity of stem cell manipulations, stem cell genetic modification procedures and advantages and disadvantages of each method, as well as available solutions to improve the efficiency and security of mentioned methods for clinical approaches.