Article
Engineering, Environmental
Qiutong Shi, Zhipeng Gao, Huaming Guo, Xianjiang Zeng, Sandun Sandanayake, Meththika Vithanage
Summary: This study identifies higher Si and -F- concentrations in CKDu groundwater, compared to non-CKDu groundwater, indicating their potential role in causing CKDu. The main hydrogeochemical process controlling groundwater chemistry is the chemical weathering of silicates. Undersaturation of groundwater samples with respect to amorphous silica and clay minerals promotes silicate weathering and elevated Si concentrations. The precipitation of calcite and the exchange of Ca2+ with Na+ contribute to fluorite dissolution and high -F- concentrations. Competitive adsorption between OH-/HCO-3 and -F- enhances the release of -F- from solid surfaces.
ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Ling-Kang Bu, Pan-Pan Jia, Wei-Guo Li, Yong-Zhi Li, Tian-Yun Li, De-Sheng Pei
Summary: This study investigates the potential mitigating effects of probiotics on kidney damage induced by Sri Lanka's contaminated groundwater using zebrafish as a model organism. The results show that exposure to local groundwater caused abnormalities in zebrafish larvae, but the addition of probiotics improved various parameters and positively influenced the expression of kidney development and immunity-related genes. Furthermore, exposure to contaminated groundwater decreased the diversity and abundance of microbiota in zebrafish larvae, but probiotic treatment partially restored the disrupted gut microbiota and impacted the microbial community's cellular processes.
AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Luan Gaviao Prado, Angela Silva Barbosa
Summary: Leptospirosis, caused by pathogenic species of the genus Leptospira, is a neglected infectious disease that can be diagnosed through serological and molecular methods. The chronic renal disease, carrier state, and kidney fibrosis due to Leptospira infection are significant topics of discussion, with many mechanisms still overlooked in understanding the chronic status of this infectious disease. Recent findings highlight cellular communication pathways and the relationship between renal fibrosis and CKD/CKDu caused by leptospirosis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Urology & Nephrology
Shakila Sudarshani Premarathne, Chandika Gamage, Rohana Chandrajith, Neelakanthi Vajira Ratnatunge, Sulochana Wijetunge, Abdul Wazil, Li-Fang Chou, Yi-Ching Ko, Chiung-Tseng Huang, Huang-Yu Yang, Amanda Fonseka, Thamalu Sonnadara, Dulanjali Herath, Pasan Hewavitharane, Chih-Wei Yang, Nishantha Nanayakkara
Summary: Chronic kidney disease of uncertain etiology (CKDu) is an environmental nephropathy, and leptospirosis, a spirochetal infection, has been identified as a potential etiology for CKDu. In endemic regions, there is an increasing number of cases reported with features suggestive of acute interstitial nephritis without any known reason (AINu). This study hypothesizes that exposure to pathogenic leptospires is one of the causative factors for the occurrence of AINu.
Article
Urology & Nephrology
Sameera Gunawardena, Maleesha Dayaratne, Harshima Wijesinghe, Eranga Wijewickrama
Summary: Thirteen studies were included in the scoping review. Interstitial fibrosis was the predominant lesion in all studies. Although no characteristic histopathological feature could be found in CKDu-Sri Lanka or Mesoamerican nephropathy, there are noticeable differences between these two groups in the frequency and severity of the glomerular and tubulointerstitial changes.
KIDNEY INTERNATIONAL REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Virology
Devinda S. Muthusinghe, Kenta Shimizu, Sithumini M. W. Lokupathirage, Zhouoxing Wei, Yomani D. Sarathkumara, G. R. Amanda Fonseka, Pavani Senarathne, Nobuo Koizumi, Tomonori Kawakami, Akio Koizumi, Chaminda Wickramasinghe, Hideki Ebihara, Keita Matsuno, Yoshimi Tsuda, Jiro Arikawa, Chandika D. Gamage, Kumiko Yoshimatsu
Summary: Genetic evidence from small mammals in a CKDu hotspot area of Sri Lanka revealed the presence of two THAIV-related hantaviruses, carried by rodents and Mus animals, suggesting a potential role in the induction of CKDu.
Article
Urology & Nephrology
Christoph Daniel, Philipp Enghard, Neelakanthi Ratnatunga, Sulochana Wijetunge, A. W. M. Wazil, Christian Zwiener, Johannes A. C. Barth, Rohana Chandrajith, Monika Klewer, Kai-Uwe Eckhardt, Kerstin Amann, Paul Freund, Shakila Premarathne, W. D. R. N. Pushpakumara, Nishantha Nanayakkara
Summary: This study collected 13 renal biopsies from patients with symptomatic chronic kidney disease in Sri Lanka and compared them with 100 biopsies from German patients. The results showed that early tubulointerstitial changes were evident in symptomatic chronic kidney disease patients in Sri Lanka, while glomerular changes were mild. These ultrastructural changes were significantly more frequent in symptomatic chronic kidney disease cases than in the control group, but they do not provide concrete evidence of the cause of the disease.
KIDNEY INTERNATIONAL REPORTS
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Li-Fang Chou, Huang-Yu Yang, Cheng-Chieh Hung, Ya-Chung Tian, Shen-Hsing Hsu, Chih-Wei Yang
Summary: Leptospirosis is a neglected bacterial disease caused by leptospiral infection, which has a high mortality risk. It has been found that leptospiral infections, including acute, chronic, and asymptomatic infections, are closely linked to acute and chronic kidney disease (CKD) and renal fibrosis. Leptospires infiltrate kidney cells and survive in the kidney by evading the immune system. The binding of bacterial outer membrane protein LipL32 to toll-like receptor-2 in renal tubular epithelial cells (TECs) is the most well-known pathogenic mechanism of renal tubular damage caused by leptospiral infection.
BIOMEDICAL JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Erik Hansson, Ali Mansourian, Mahdi Farnaghi, Max Petzold, Kristina Jakobsson
Summary: The study found regions with high CKD burden in all five countries in Mesoamerica, with hot regions and intense sugarcane cultivation showing higher burden. This suggests heavy physical labor and heat as key risk factors for CKDnt.
Article
Environmental Sciences
D. N. D. Liyanage, Saranga Diyabalanage, S. P. Dunuweera, Sanath Rajapakse, R. M. G. Rajapakse, Rohana Chandrajith
Summary: The study conducted in the Monaragala district of Sri Lanka revealed a CKDu prevalence of about 6.7%. Analysis of groundwater samples showed significant differences in the concentrations of certain ions between CKDu-prevalent locations and control locations. Higher levels of alkali and alkaline earth cations, as well as fluoride, were found in the drinking water sources used by CKDu patients, potentially relating to the disease.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Julia Wijkstrom, Kumar Chakravarthy Annadata, Carl-Gustaf Elinder, Praveen Kumar Kolla, Narayana Rao Sarvepalli, Anneli Ring, Rajendiran Swaminathan, Barathi Gunabooshanam, Magnus Soderberg, Vidhya Venugopal, Annika Wernerson
Summary: This study describes a case series of chronic kidney disease of unknown cause (CKDu) in India, finding that the kidney morphology and clinical characteristics are similar to CKDu in Central America and Sri Lanka.
JOURNAL OF INTERNAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Physiology
Matteo Floris, Nicola Lepori, Andrea Angioi, Gianfranca Cabiddu, Doloretta Piras, Valentina Loi, Sundararaman Swaminathan, Mitchell H. Rosner, Antonello Pani
Summary: This review explores the epidemiology, potential factors, clinical features, and geographical peculiarities of CKDu, focusing on the etiology of the disease and the need for preventive measures in areas where renal replacement therapy is not widely available. Innovative healthcare solutions, social policies, and collaborative clinical research projects are essential to better understand and address the factors contributing to the promotion and progression of CKDu.
KIDNEY & BLOOD PRESSURE RESEARCH
(2021)
Review
Urology & Nephrology
Vito M. Campese
Summary: Mesoamerican nephropathy (MeN) is a form of chronic kidney disease with unknown causes, characterized by tubulo-interstitial nephritis and glomerulosclerosis. The potential causes may involve exposure to water contaminants combined with volume depletion.
CLINICAL NEPHROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Ekarat Sombatsawat, Dana Boyd Barr, Parinya Panuwet, Mark Gregory Robson, Wattasit Siriwong
Summary: A study conducted in Nakhon Ratchasima province, Thailand among 58 farmers found a significant prevalence of abnormal cholinesterase activity and CKDu among the participants. The research revealed a strong association between OP and CA poisoning and CKDu, suggesting a potential link between pesticide exposure and decreased kidney function in farmers.
HUMAN AND ECOLOGICAL RISK ASSESSMENT
(2021)
Article
Physiology
Li-Fang Chou, Ting-Wen Chen, Huang-Yu Yang, Ya-Chung Tian, Ming-Yang Chang, Cheng-Chieh Hung, Shen-Hsing Hsu, Chung-Ying Tsai, Yi-Ching Ko, Chih-Wei Yang
Summary: This study demonstrates that background subclinical leptospirosis may enhance subsequent secondary nephrotoxic kidney injury, leading to exacerbated fibrosis and mimicking the pathophysiological process of progressive chronic kidney disease. Comparison with a murine model and patients with chronic kidney disease reveals potential markers involved in renal fibrosis progression, indicating that secondary nephrotoxic injury exacerbated by chronic Leptospira infection may contribute to the progression of chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-RENAL PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Virology
Zhouoxing Wei, Kenta Shimizu, Kumpei Nishigami, Yoshimi Tsuda, Yomani Sarathukumara, Devinda S. Muthusinghe, Chandika D. Gamage, Lishanta Granathne, Sithumini M. W. Lokupathirage, Nishanta Nanayakkara, Jiro Arikawa, Fuka Kikuchi, Keiko Tanaka-Taya, Motoi Suzuki, Shigeru Morikawa, Satoru Arai, Kumiko Yoshimatsu
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the infectivity of shrew-borne hantaviruses to humans through the preparation of recombinant nucleocapsid proteins. Results showed no antigenic cross-reactivity among different hantaviruses’ rN proteins, and some samples reacted with ALTV and TPMV rN proteins. Further application of the novel assays is recommended for studying the potential infectivity of shrew-borne hantaviruses to humans.
ARCHIVES OF VIROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Dinesha Jayasundara, Indika Senavirathna, Janith Warnasekara, Chandika Gamage, Sisira Siribaddana, Senanayake Abeysinghe, Mudiyanselage Kularatne, Michael Matthias, Jean-Francois Mariet, Mathieu Picardeau, Suneth Agampodi, Joseph M. Vinetz
Summary: Leptospirosis is a widespread zoonotic disease with diverse clinical presentations and manifestations due to various strains of Leptospira. A study in Sri Lanka identified four pathogenic Leptospira species and at least six serogroups among patient samples, highlighting the need for culture-independent typing methods for accurate identification.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shakila Premarathne, Rohana Chandrajith, Nishantha Nanayakkara, C. D. Gamage, Neelakanthi Ratnatunga, Sulochana Wijetunge, Zeid Badurdeen, Shashika Guruge, N. Elladeniya, K. P. S. Madushan, K. O. C. U. Samarasiri, Pasan Hewavitharane, Dulanjali Herath, Sachintha Senarathne
Summary: Ingestion of toxic trace elements is considered a major cause of kidney dysfunction, but a study on rice consumption in AINu patients found that levels of toxic trace elements were below recommended levels. Therefore, rice consumption is unlikely to be a risk factor for AINu etiology.
BIOLOGICAL TRACE ELEMENT RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Thilini Nisansala, Manjula Weerasekera, Nilantha Ranasinghe, Chamil Marasinghe, Chandika Gamage, Neluka Fernando, Chinthika Gunasekara
Summary: The study showed that elevated levels of IL-10 and suppressed levels of sTNFR1 were associated with leptospirosis, with a higher IL-10/TNF ratio observed in patients with complications. No significant association between TNF gene polymorphisms and expression was found in this study population.
MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Correction
Infectious Diseases
Dinesha Jayasundara, Indika Senavirathna, Janith Warnasekara, Chandika Gamage, Sisira Siribaddana, Senanayake Abeysinghe Mudiyanselage Kularatne, Michael Matthias, Jean-Francois Mariet, Mathieu Picardeau, Suneth Agampodi, Joseph M. Vinetz
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Dinesha Jayasundara, Chandika Gamage, Indika Senavirathna, Janith Warnasekara, Michael A. Matthias, Joseph Vinetz, Suneth Agampodi
Summary: The microscopic agglutination test is commonly used for diagnosing leptospirosis, requiring an optimised panel that reacts well with patient samples. This study describes the process of selecting such an optimised panel for Sri Lanka, highlighting geographical variations in test results and recommending the use of ELISA with PCR for a more accurate diagnosis in countries with a higher disease burden.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Thilini Nisansala, Manjula Weerasekera, Nilantha Ranasinghe, Chamil Marasinghe, Chandika Gamage, Neluka Fernando, Chinthika Gunasekara
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the importance of KIM-1 and MCP-1 in determining leptospirosis-associated AKI, and found that serum KIM-1 is a promising marker among the tested biomarkers for identifying AKI in leptospirosis patients. Further validation with a larger study group is recommended.
BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Tarindi Athapattu, Ruchika Fernando, Roshan Abayawansha, Palika Fernando, Manohari Fuward, Nishanthi Samarakoon, Nobuo Koizumi, Chandika Gamage
Summary: This study investigated the prevalence of Leptospira spp. in healthy dogs in Sri Lanka. The results showed that both vaccinated and unvaccinated dogs excreted pathogenic Leptospira spp. in their urine, indicating their potential role in environmental contamination and zoonotic transmission. The study highlights the importance of monitoring and controlling Leptospira infection in dogs to protect human and animal health.
VECTOR-BORNE AND ZOONOTIC DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Virology
Devinda S. Muthusinghe, Kenta Shimizu, Sithumini M. W. Lokupathirage, Zhouoxing Wei, Yomani D. Sarathkumara, G. R. Amanda Fonseka, Pavani Senarathne, Nobuo Koizumi, Tomonori Kawakami, Akio Koizumi, Chaminda Wickramasinghe, Hideki Ebihara, Keita Matsuno, Yoshimi Tsuda, Jiro Arikawa, Chandika D. Gamage, Kumiko Yoshimatsu
Summary: Genetic evidence from small mammals in a CKDu hotspot area of Sri Lanka revealed the presence of two THAIV-related hantaviruses, carried by rodents and Mus animals, suggesting a potential role in the induction of CKDu.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Zhiwei Liu, Yomani D. Sarathkumara, John K. C. Chan, Yok-Lam Kwong, Tai Hing Lam, Dennis Kai Ming Ip, Brian C. -H. Chiu, Jun Xu, Yu-Chieh Su, Carla Proietti, Martha M. Cooper, Kelly J. Yu, Bryan Bassig, Raymond Liang, Wei Hu, Bu-Tian Ji, Anna E. Coghill, Ruth M. Pfeiffer, Allan Hildesheim, Nathaniel Rothman, Denise L. Doolan, Qing Lan
Summary: The study compared the antibody responses to EBV in NKTCL patients and controls, finding significantly elevated IgG antibodies in NKTCL patients compared to controls, while IgA antibodies showed no significant difference. Nine anti-EBV IgG responses were found to be significantly elevated in NKTCL cases, with three of them being novel.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Suneth Agampodi, Janith Warnasekara, Sisira Siribaddana, S. A. M. Kularatna, Chandika Gamage, Dinesha Jayasundara, Indika Senevirathna, Shalka Srimantha, Chamila Kappagoda, Prasanna Weerawansa, Senaka Pilapitiya, Niroshan Lokunarangoda, Chamara Sarathchandra, Hemal Senanayake, Michael Matthias, Joseph Vinetz
Summary: This dataset includes data from febrile patients recruited for a large hospital-based study in Sri Lanka from 2016 to 2019. The variables include primary socio-demographic data, exposure data, clinical data, biochemical and investigation data. Patients with leptospirosis were diagnosed through a series of tests.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yomani D. Sarathkumara, Daniel J. Browne, Ashton M. Kelly, David J. Pattinson, Catherine M. Rush, Jeffrey Warner, Carla Proietti, Denise L. Doolan
Summary: This study compared the performance of two widely used whole-blood RNA collection systems, PAXgene and Tempus, in laboratory and suboptimal tropical field conditions. Tempus tubes maintained higher RNA quantity and integrity compared to PAXgene under suboptimal conditions and also showed better stability of mRNA transcripts for reference genes.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Ilona Argirion, Ruth M. Pfeiffer, Carla Proietti, Anna E. Coghill, Kelly J. Yu, Jaap M. Middeldorp, Yomani D. Sarathkumara, Wan-Lun Hsu, Yin-Chu Chien, Pei-Jen Lou, Cheng-Ping Wang, Nathaniel Rothman, Qing Lan, Chien-Jen Chen, Sam M. Mbulaiteye, Ruth F. Jarrett, Ingrid Glimelius, Karin E. Smedby, Henrik Hjalgrim, Allan Hildesheim, Denise L. Doolan, Zhiwei Liu
Summary: By studying the anti-EBV IgG and IgA antibody responses in patients with four different EBV-associated cancers, it was found that the antibody responses were associated with different cancer types. This research helps to understand the pathogenic mechanisms of EBV-related cancers.
CANCER EPIDEMIOLOGY BIOMARKERS & PREVENTION
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Tong Cheng, Zhusheng Chen, Yibin Qin, Xiang Zhu, Hongsheng Chen, Zhongling Xu, Xiaqing Ma
Summary: Morphine is commonly used and effective for pain relief, but its side effect of itching limits its clinical use. This paper discusses the potential of using esketamine to treat morphine-induced itching.
MEDICAL HYPOTHESES
(2024)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Sung Eun Lee, Eunjung Park, Ji-yun Kim, HyukHoon Kim
Summary: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a potential therapeutic modality that has been recognized for its favorable mechanisms in various diseases, including sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE). HBOT has neuroprotective effects through its anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic effects as well as increased tissue oxygenation capacity. However, there are caveats and limitations in applying HBOT in sepsis.
MEDICAL HYPOTHESES
(2024)