Browsing by Author "Perera, H.K.K."

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Alcohol consumption and tobacco smoking in an urban adult Sri Lankan population
(Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2008) Kasturiratne, A.; Pinidiyapathirage, M.J.; Perera, H.K.K.; Fernando, E.D.P.S.; Ranasinha, C.D.; Edirisinghe, P.A.S.; Makaya, M.; Kato, N.
BACKGROUND: Data on the prevalence and patterns of alcohol consumption and smoking in the general population in Sri Lanka are scarce. Objective: To describe patterns of alcohol use and smoking in an urban adult population in Sri Lanka. DESIGN, SETTING AND METHODS: A random sample of the general population aged between 35-65 years, resident in the Ragama Medical Officer of Health area was interviewed to obtain drinking and smoking habits. RESULTS: Among 2985 subjects [males 45.5%; mean age 52.7 years (SD7.8)], 1156(39.7%) reported ever use of alcohol, and 892(29.7%) reported current use. 58.8% of males and 5.7% of females were current drinkers. 190(14%) males and 12(0.7%) females consumed alcohol above the weekly safe limit (>14 units for males, >7 units for females). The median duration of alcohol use among ever users was 18 years (interquartile range 10-25), and current users was 20 years (interquartile range 1,0-25). The commonest type of alcohol consumed was arrack (n=492), followed by beer (n=217). 60.2% of males and 2.1% of females reported ever smoking, 483(16.2%) were current smokers. 35.1% of males and 0.5% of females were current smokers. The median duration of smoking was 20 years among both ever smokers (interquartile range 10-27.3), and current smokers (interquartile range 15-30). Most (55.3%) smoked cigarettes, only 36(4.2%) smoked beedi. The median pack years of current smokers was 4,5 (interquartile range 2-10). CONCLUSION: Lifetime and current use of alcohol and smoking are high among males. Focused interventions are required to reduce current rates among males and to maintain low rates reported by females.
Do we know enough of our own backyard? Influenza surveillances in Sri Lanka over the last decade
(Sri Lanka College of Microbiologists, 2015) Perera, H.K.K.
Abstract available
Genogroup I and II picobirnaviruses in respiratory tracts of pigs
(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2011) Smits, S.L.; Poon, L.L.M.; van Leeuwen, M.; Lau, P.N.; Perera, H.K.K.; Peiris, J.S.M.; Simon, J.H.; Osterhaus, A.D.M.E.
ABSTRACT: Sequence-independent amplification and specific reverse transcription PCRs identified genogroup I and II picobirnaviruses in respiratory tracts of pigs. These data expand knowledge of picobirnavirus diversity and tropism. Genetic relationships between porcine respiratory and human enteric picobirnaviruses suggest cross-species transmission of picobirnaviruses between pigs and humans.
Human bocavirus in patients with encephalitis, Sri Lanka, 2009-2010
(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2013) Mori, D.; Ranawaka, U.; Yamada, K.; Rajindrajith, S.; Miya, K.; Perera, H.K.K.; Matsumoto, T.; Dassanayake, M.; Mitui, M. T.; Mori, H.; Nishizono, A.; Soderlund-Venermo, M.; Ahmed, K.
We identified human bocavirus (HBoV) DNA by PCR in cerebrospinal fluid from adults and children with encephalitis in Sri Lanka. HBoV types 1, 2, and 3 were identified among these cases. Phylogenetic analysis of HBoV1 strain sequences found no subclustering with strains previously identified among encephalitis cases in Bangladesh.
The influenza viruses
(Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2015) Perera, H.K.K.; Peiris, J.S.M.
No Abstract Available
Isolation of Salmonella species in Rousettus leschenaulti fruit bats in Sri Lanka
(The Institute of Biology, Sri Lanka, 2016) Perera, H.I.T.; Yapa, W.B.; Perera, H.K.K.
Molecular Epidemiology of Influenza A (H1N1) pdm09 Virus among Humans and Swine, Sri Lanka
(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2014) Perera, H.K.K.; Vijaykrishna, D.; Premarathna, A.G.; Jayamaha, C.J.; Wickramasinghe, G.; Cheung, C.L.; Yeung, M.F.; Poon, L.L.; Perera, A.K.; Barr, I.G.; Guan, Y.; Peiris, M.
After multiple discrete introductions of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus into Sri Lanka, the virus was transmitted among humans, then swine. The spread of virus between geographically distant swine farms is consistent with virus dispersal associated with a vehicle used for swine transportation, although this remains unproven
Swine influenza in Sri Lanka.
(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2013) Perera, H.K.K.; Wickramasinghe, G.; Cheung, C.L.; Nishiura, H.; Smith, D.K.; Poon, L.L.; Perera, A.K.; Ma, S.K.; Sunil-Chandra, N.P.; Guan, Y.; Peiris, J.S.
To study influenza viruses in pigs in Sri Lanka, we examined samples from pigs at slaughterhouses. Influenza (H3N2) and A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses were prevalent during 2004-2005 and 2009-2012, respectively. Genetic and epidemiologic analyses of human and swine influenza viruses indicated 2 events of A(H1N1)pdm09 virus spillover from humans to pigs
Viral characteristics and genomics of early onset, single organ specific presentations in dengue
(Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2013) Premaratna, R.; Perera, H.K.K.; Chan, K.H.; Yeung, M.F.; Mettananda, C.; Peiris, J.S.M.; de Silva, H.J.
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Early onset neurological, hepatic and cardiac complications of dengue are increasingly recognized. However, doubts exist as to whether such complications of dengue are consequences of dengue shock syndrome rather than direct organ involvement. We studied virus characteristics and their genomics in patients who presented with early onset single organ involvement due to dengue, without features of DSS. METHODS: Blood samples were collected at admission of seven patients, who presented to the Professorial Medical Unit, Colombo North Teaching Hospital Ragama during 2011-2012, confirmed as having acute dengue by PCR. Samples were analysed with single-tube, nested RT-PCR using type-specific primers. Viral RNA was extracted and sequencing was performed. The dengue virus sequences were aligned with other sequences that are available in the GenBank and maximum-likelihood (ML) tree was made. RESULTS: Early onset organ specific manifestations included; self-limiting fits and clouding of consciousness on the 2nd day, rise in AST (1337iu/L) and ALT (749iu/L) on the 4th day and T wave inversions in the ECG on the 3rd day. Seven Dengue 1 viruses were isolated, which were in close homology in all 7 patients, based on the maximum likelihood tree with 1000 boot-straps. CONCLUSIONS: All the strains detected were clustered within the Genotype I clade of dengue-1 and in close homology with the dengue-1 viruses detected in the country in the recent past. The significance of viral characteristics and genomics related to organ specific manifestations need further study.