Article
Parasitology
Tharaka Wijerathna, Nayana Gunathilaka, Kithsiri Gunawardena, Wasana Rodrigo
Summary: In this study, the population dynamics of sand flies in Sri Lanka were investigated through continuous entomological surveillance and analysis of climatic data. The findings showed that wind speed reduces sand fly abundance, while rainfall increases it. The higher prevalence of leishmaniasis in certain areas may be attributed to the higher density of sand flies. The study recommends systematic surveillance of sand flies as part of general healthcare services to prevent outbreaks.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Chandana H. Mallawarachchi, Nilmini Chandrasena, Tharaka Wijerathna, Rasika Dalpadado, Maleesha S. M. N. S. Mallawarachchi, Dinesh G. A. M. Gunarathna, Nayana Gunathilaka
Summary: An investigation was conducted in Gampaha district, Western Sri Lanka, to study the emerging focus of cutaneous leishmaniasis. The study found that male gender, low education attainment, and poor disease awareness were significant risk factors for CL. Local transmission was indicated, with P. argentipes as the probable vector.
TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Nirmitha Lalindi De Silva, Viraji Nefertiti Hiromel De Silva, Arachchige Theja Hemapala Deerasinghe, Upeksha Lakmini Rathnapala, Makoto Itoh, Hidekazu Takagi, Mirani Vasanthamala Weerasooriya, Hirotomo Kato, Thishan Channa Yahathugoda
Summary: The recent surge in cutaneous leishmaniasis in Sri Lanka has made clinical diagnosis difficult, highlighting the importance of laboratory confirmation. A modified PCR-RFLP method has been developed, showing higher sensitivity and accuracy in detecting parasite DNA compared to traditional methods like microscopic examination.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Nadira D. Karunaweera, Sanath Senanayake, Samitha Ginige, Hermali Silva, Nuwani Manamperi, Nilakshi Samaranayake, Rajika Dewasurendra, Panduka Karunanayake, Deepa Gamage, Nissanka de Silva, Upul Senarath, Guofa Zhou
Summary: Leishmaniasis cases in Sri Lanka surged in recent years, due to precipitation, high burden of localized infections, and inter-district dispersal. The study highlighted synchronized transmission dynamics, significant role of neighboring-area dispersal, and importance of climatic variability. The predictive model indicated intensifying transmission and expansion of high-transmission areas, calling for urgent targeted interventions.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Yamuna Siriwardana, Bhagya Deepachandi, Sudath Weerasinghe, Nadira Karunaweera, Chandanie Udagedara, Wipula Warnasuriya, Ranthilaka R. Ranawaka, Indira Kahawita
Summary: The study in Sri Lanka explores the clinical diversity of cutaneous leishmaniasis in two independent transmission foci, revealing significant differences in the progression and types of lesions between regions, possibly influenced by parasite strains and host adaptation.
BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Nirmitha Lalindi De Silva, Viraji Nefertiti Hiromel De Silva, Arachchige Theja Hemapala Deerasinghe, Upeksha Lakmini Rathnapala, Hirotomo Kato, Makoto Itoh, Hidekazu Takagi, Mirani Vasanthamala Weerasooriya, Thishan Channa Yahathugoda
Summary: Clinical diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis has become challenging in Southern Sri Lanka due to the increasing number of cases. The sensitivity of the routine diagnostic method, slit-skin smear (SSS), is variable, resulting in undiagnosed cases. In this study, a new in-house ELISA method was evaluated and compared with the gold standard ITS-1 nested PCR. The combination of SSS and ELISA showed higher diagnostic accuracy, and patients with multiple lesions had higher serum anti-rKRP42 titers. Further research is needed to understand the relationship between rk39-ICT positivity and high anti-rKRP42 titers.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Hasara Nuwangi, Kosala Gayan Weerakoon, Thilini Chanchala Agampodi, Helen Philippa Price, Lisa Dikomitis, Suneth Buddhika Agampodi
Summary: Leishmaniasis, a disease believed to have emerged in Sri Lanka in the 1990s, was actually present much earlier, as indicated by a comprehensive case report from 1904. Historical documents, such as the Annual Administration Reports and the Ceylon Blue Book, provide evidence of the presence of Leishmaniasis in Sri Lanka from 1821 to 1970. This government health information demonstrates that the history of leishmaniasis in Sri Lanka aligns with the global history of the disease.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Rajika Dewasurendra, Hermali Silva, Nilakshi Samaranayake, Nuwani Manamperi, Nissanka de Silva, Panduka Karunanayake, Upul Senarath, Sanath Senanayake, Guofa Zhou, Nadira Karunaweera
Summary: There are differences in knowledge and perceptions regarding cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) between patients and communities in Sri Lanka, highlighting the need for health education programs to improve disease awareness and knowledge on vector and its control.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2022)
Review
Microbiology
Sonali Dinushika Gunasekara, Hasara Nuwangi, Nuwan Darshana Wickramasinghe, Kosala Weerakoon, Helen P. Price, Lisa Dikomitis, Suneth Buddhika Agampodi
Summary: This study reviewed the latest literature on leishmaniasis surveillance in Sri Lanka, and found that Sri Lanka has a well-established surveillance system, but there is room for improvement.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Sonali Dinushika L. Gunasekara, Nuwan Darshana Wickramasinghe, Suneth Buddhika L. Agampodi, Manoj Sanjeewa Fernando, Kosala Gayan L. Weerakoon, Chandani Liyanage, Lisa L. Dikomitis, Thilini Chanchala Agampodi
Summary: Sri Lanka has a high incidence rate of leishmaniasis. Delayed healthcare-seeking in cutaneous leishmaniasis leads to a significant burden for the affected people and healthcare systems. This study explored how people with cutaneous leishmaniasis describe and interpret early symptoms of the disease, and the time gap between symptom notice and seeking healthcare. The findings are important for designing awareness campaigns, accurate clinical diagnosis, and tailored guidelines for prevention and control of the disease.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Juliana Hanle, Balangoda M. P. Singhakumara, Mark S. Ashton
Summary: The Sinharaja rainforest in Sri Lanka is a protected forest surrounded by a buffer zone of regenerating forest and villages with small tea plots and tree gardens. A study conducted in the Sinharaja village found that tree gardens had a greater abundance of birds compared to forest fragments or tea plots, and that greater shade tree species richness in tea plots correlated with greater bird abundance and species richness.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Virology
Sachith Maduranga, Braulio Mark Valencia, Chathurani Sigera, Thiruni Adikari, Praveen Weeratunga, Deepika Fernando, Senaka Rajapakse, Andrew R. Lloyd, Rowena A. Bull, Chaturaka Rodrigo
Summary: Genomic surveillance is crucial for detecting severe community outbreaks of dengue virus, and a study in Sri Lanka found that DENV2 was the predominant serotype with occasional outbreaks of DENV3. The large outbreak of DENV3 in 2019 did not result in more severe disease, likely due to pre-existing immunity in the community.
Article
Economics
Maneka Jayasinghe, E. A. Selvanathan, Saroja Selvanathan
Summary: The study explores energy poverty in Sri Lanka using the Multidimensional Energy Poverty Index (MEPI), finding that households in Sri Lanka are experiencing a moderate level of energy poverty on average, with the lack of access to modern cooking fuel being the largest contributor. Significant differences in energy poverty were observed by gender, age, ethnicity, income group, and sub-national location of the household.
Article
Dermatology
Yuksel Altinel, Betul Tas
Summary: This is a study predicting the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of cutaneous leishmaniasis cases during treatment. The results showed that age, lesion location, and disease duration were associated with lesion type and number of treatment sessions. The presence of a crusted nodule may predict the number of treatment sessions.
INDIAN JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Dinushi Arambegedara, Saroj Jayasinghe, Preethi Udagama
Summary: The increasing prevalence of CKDu in Sri Lanka since the 1990s has posed a major health problem, with a lack of comprehensive action plan identified from a systematic literature review of 119 publications. To alleviate the CKDu epidemic, the One Health approach combined with a systems dynamics model is proposed as a potential way forward to address the research gaps and mitigate the situation.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Manjula Weerasinghe, Melissa Pearson, Nicholas Turner, Chris Metcalfe, David J. Gunnell, Suneth Agampodi, Keith Hawton, Thilini Agampodi, Matthew Miller, Shaluka Jayamanne, Simon Parker, Jayakody Arachchige Sumith, Ayanthi Karunarathne, Kalpani Dissanayaka, Sandamali Rajapaksha, Dilani Rodrigo, Dissanayake Abeysinghe, Chathuranga Piyasena, Rajaratnam Kanapathy, Sundaresan Thedchanamoorthy, Lizell Bustamante Madsen, Flemming Konradsen, Michael Eddleston
Summary: Pesticide self-poisoning is responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people globally each year. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a gatekeeper training program for vendors in preventing pesticide self-poisoning in Sri Lanka. The program aims to identify high-risk individuals and restrict their access to pesticides.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Nuwan Darshana Wickramasinghe, Himali Erandathie Ratnayake, Rasika Amali Perera, Suneth Buddhika Agampodi
Summary: This study aimed to assess the quality of life of community-dwelling older adults in rural Sri Lanka. The results showed that age, marital status, education level, and chronic illness were significantly associated with quality of life.
QUALITY OF LIFE RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Health Policy & Services
Sajaan Praveena Gunarathne, Nuwan Darshana Wickramasinghe, Thilini Chanchala Agampodi, Indika Ruwan Prasanna, Suneth Buddhika Agampodi
Summary: This study systematically evaluated the magnitude of out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE) for antenatal care (ANC) in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) and found significant variation across countries. There is a lack of evidence on OOPE for ANC in many LMICs, highlighting the need to fill this evidence gap.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTH PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Toxicology
Subodha Waiddyanatha, Anjana Silva, Kosala Weerakoon, Sisira Siribaddana, Geoffrey K. Isbister
Summary: There is no significant association between snakebite-associated acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) in rural Sri Lankan snakebite patients. However, microalbuminuria is common and it is likely associated with hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and chronic interstitial nephritis in this population.
CLINICAL TOXICOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Economics
Nathan Kettlewell, Fruhling Rijsdijk, Sisira Siribaddana, Athula Sumathipala, Agnieszka Tymula, Helena Zavos, Nicholas Glozier
Summary: We use a unique survey of Sri Lankan twins to estimate the impact of traumatic events on risk preferences. The survey includes information on individual's exposure to the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, validated measures of mental health and risk preferences, and a rich set of control variables. Our findings suggest that exposure to the tsunami leads to decreased risk aversion, and this effect is not explained by changes in mental health.
Article
Environmental Sciences
T. D. K. S. C. Gunasekara, P. Mangala C. S. De Silva, E. P. S. Chandana, Sudheera Jayasinghe, Chula Herath, Sisira Siribaddana, Nishad Jayasundara
Summary: Prolonged heat exposure during outdoor physical exertion may have negative effects on renal health, but its association with chronic kidney disease in tropical regions is uncertain. This study investigated the likelihood of pediatric renal injury in Sri Lankan school students in dry climatic zones with high prevalence of CKDu, and found no strong evidence for an association between heat exposure and renal injury.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hasara Nuwangi, Thilini Chanchala Agampodi, Helen Philippa Price, Thomas Shepherd, Kosala Gayan Weerakoon, Suneth Buddhika Agampodi
Summary: Leishmaniasis has three main types: cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (MCL), and visceral leishmaniasis (VL). CL and MCL can cause disfiguring skin pathology and are highly stigmatizing. This systematic review aims to identify and synthesize evidence on the stigma associated with CL and MCL, as well as any preventive strategies/interventions adopted to address this condition. The review will help fill the knowledge gap in CL-associated stigma and inform future interventions.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Melissa Pearson, Andrew Dawson, Jacques Raubenheimer, Lalith Senerathna, Katherine Conigrave, K. S. Kylie Lee, Thilini Rajapakse, Pahala Hangidi Gedara Janaka Pushpakumara, Sisira Siribaddana, Jane Brandt Soerensen, Flemming Konradsen, Stephen Jan, Angela J. Dawson, Nicholas Buckley, Ranil Abeysinghe, Prabash Siriwardhana, Chamil Priyadarshana, Paul S. Haber, Monika Dzidowska, Palitha Abeykoon, Nick Glozier
Summary: This article describes a complex alcohol intervention program in Sri Lanka and the modifications made due to COVID-19. The study faced disruptions from various events and was adapted with hybrid delivery and a rolling pre-post study design. The aim of the research is to evaluate the effects of the intervention on alcohol use, mental health, social capital, and financial stress. The modifications have received ethical approval and will be disseminated in collaboration with the community and stakeholders.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Sonali Dinushika L. Gunasekara, Nuwan Darshana Wickramasinghe, Suneth Buddhika L. Agampodi, Manoj Sanjeewa Fernando, Kosala Gayan L. Weerakoon, Chandani Liyanage, Lisa L. Dikomitis, Thilini Chanchala Agampodi
Summary: Sri Lanka has a high incidence rate of leishmaniasis. Delayed healthcare-seeking in cutaneous leishmaniasis leads to a significant burden for the affected people and healthcare systems. This study explored how people with cutaneous leishmaniasis describe and interpret early symptoms of the disease, and the time gap between symptom notice and seeking healthcare. The findings are important for designing awareness campaigns, accurate clinical diagnosis, and tailored guidelines for prevention and control of the disease.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Toxicology
Subodha Waiddyanatha, Anjana Silva, Supun Wedasingha, Sisira Siribaddana, Geoffrey K. Isbister
Summary: This study aimed to assess the frequency of serum sickness following the administration of Indian polyvalent antivenom in Sri Lanka. The results showed that only a small proportion of patients developed serum sickness, in contrast to other antivenom studies.
CLINICAL TOXICOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Pediatrics
T. D. K. S. C. Gunasekara, P. Mangala C. S. De Silva, E. P. S. Chandana, Sudheera Jayasinghe, Chula Herath, Sisira Siribaddana, Nishad Jayasundara
Summary: This study evaluated the association between body mass index (BMI) and kidney health in Sri Lankan students. The results showed that there is no clear association between BMI and kidney function, but severely malnourished girls may have abnormal kidney health outcomes.
PEDIATRIC NEPHROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Suneth Agampodi, Sajaan Gunarathna, Jung-Seok Lee, Jean-Louis Excler
Summary: This study estimates the global economic burden of leptospirosis due to loss of productivity. The results show that the disease has a significant impact on the global economy, especially in the Asia-Pacific region and in lower-income countries.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2023)
Editorial Material
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Thilini Agampodi, Hasara Nuwangi, Sonali Gunasekara, Asitha Mallawaarachchi, Helen P. Price, Lisa Dikomitis, Suneth Agampodi
Article
Pediatrics
T. D. K. S. C. Gunasekara, P. Mangala C. S. De Silva, E. P. S. Chandana, Sudheera Jayasinghe, Chula Herath, Sisira Siribaddana, Nishad Jayasundara
Summary: This study investigated the association between fluoride exposure and pediatric kidney health in different regions of Sri Lanka with varying fluoride levels. The results showed significantly high fluoride levels in CKDu-endemic dry zones, but a strong link between fluoride exposure and kidney health was not clearly evident based on the observed exposure levels and kidney injury biomarkers.
PEDIATRIC NEPHROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Sisira Siribaddana, Arjuna Medagama, Nadeesha Wickramasinghe, Nipuna M. Siribaddana, Suneth Agampodi, Devaka Fernando
Summary: This study investigated the effect of a KH biscuit, made from Salacia reticulata plant extracts, on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes. The results showed that the KH biscuit, taken as a snack, reduced HbA1c levels compared to placebo without adverse effects on the kidneys or liver. It can be safely recommended as a snack for patients with type 2 diabetes.
CUREUS JOURNAL OF MEDICAL SCIENCE
(2023)