Browsing by Author "Peiris-John, R. J."

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Chronic renal failure in North Central Province of Sri Lanka: an environmentally induced disease
(Oxford University Press, 2007) Wanigasuriya, K. P.; Peiris-John, R. J.; Wickremasinghe, R.; Hittarage, A.
This study was conducted to determine the aetiology of chronic renal failure (CRF) in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka. Patients (n=183) with CRF of unknown aetiology were compared with controls (n=200) who had no evidence of chronic renal dysfunction. Exposure to possible risk factors were determined by an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Being a farmer (P<0.001), using pesticides (P<0.001), drinking well water (P<0.001), a family history of renal dysfunction (P=0.001), use of ayurvedic treatment (P<0.001) and a history of snake bite (P<0.001) were risk factors for CRF of unknown aetiology. Using logistic regression analysis, a family history of chronic renal disease, taking ayurvedic treatment and history of snake bite were found to be significant predictors for CRF of unknown aetiology. There is evidence to support an environmental aetiology to CRF in Sri Lanka.
Could ochratoxin A in food commodities be the cause of chronic kidney disease in Sri Lanka?
(Oxford University Press, 2008) Wanigasuriya, K. P.; Peiris, H.; Ileperuma, N.; Peiris-John, R. J.; Wickremasinghe, R.
Ochratoxin A (OA) is a naturally occurring mycotoxin with nephrotoxic properties that can contaminate plant food products. OA concentrations were assessed in commonly consumed food items in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka, where chronic kidney disease is diagnosed at epidemic proportions. Ninety-eight randomly selected food samples were analysed. Mycotoxin was detected in the extract by using a MycoMonitor OchratoxinA ELISA assay kit (Helica Biosystems Inc., USA). The levels of OA found in these food commodities were below the recommended statutory maximum limit and are unlikely to be a potential risk factor for nephropathy in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka.
Impact of low-level exposure to organophosphates on human reproduction and survival
(Oxford University Press, 2008) Peiris-John, R. J.; Wickremasinghe, R.
Despite their widespread and longstanding use for the public good, organophosphate (OP) pesticides have led to many adverse effects on human health. Environmental exposure to OPs and adverse reproductive outcomes in men and women working on or living near farms are increasingly reported worldwide. The aim of the current review is to determine whether exposure to OPs, at levels lower than that which results in clinical manifestations of acute OP poisoning, leads to an adverse impact on fertility, growth and development, and to highlight possible effects for further investigation. There is evidence of impaired fertility due to a reduction in semen quality and possibly lower testosterone levels in exposed males. There is also evidence of impairment of fetal growth and development brought about by prenatal exposure to OPs. Paraoxonase gene (PON1) activity in the fetus and during early childhood makes the fetus and child more vulnerable to OP poisoning, suggesting that OP exposure has a greater impacton fetal and infant growth and development than on adults when exposed to the same concentrations of pesticides. This review raises concerns that exposure to OP pesticides at levels currently regarded as safe adversely affect human reproductive function and survival.