Browsing by Author "Wijesundera, M. de S."

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    Human dirofilariasis caused by Dirofilaria (Nochtiella) repens in Sri Lanka
    (Roma, Istituto di Parassitologia, Città Universitaria, 1997) Dissanaike, A.S.; Abeyewickreme, W.; Wijesundera, M. de S.; Weerasooriya, M.V.; Ismail, M.M.
    Human dirofilariasis due to Dirofilaria (Nochtiella) repens is a common zoonotic infection in Sri Lanka. Todate 70 cases are on record, and they include 3 expatriates from Russia, England and Korea, who were undoubtedly infected in Sri Lanka. Around 30-60% of dogs are infected with D. repens in various parts of the country and the mosquito vectors are Aedes aegypti, Armigeres subalbatus, Mansonia uniformis and M. annulifera. Unlike in other countries of the old world infection is most common in children under the age of 9 years, the youngest being 4 months old and the scrotum, penis and perianal regions of male children appear to be frequent sites for the worms. Dirofilaria (Dirofilaria) immitis is not present in Sri Lanka though it is present in neighbouring countries like India, and Malaysia.
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    Prevalence patterns of intestinal parasitoses among school children in Mahaweli System C: a new settlement in Sri Lanka
    (The Kandy Society of Medicine, 1993) Wijesundera, M. de S.; de Silva, N.R.; Ariyaratne, C.S.
    SUMMARY: Studentsattending three schools in the settlements of Bakmeedeniya, Ranhelagama and Nagaswewa in Mahaweli System C, were examined at approxi¬mately yearly intervals from December 1986 to November 1989, to assess the prevalence patterns of intestinal parasitoses in the area. The age of the students at the time of examination ranged from 5-19 years, with 89% being in the 5-14 year age group. The male:female ratio was 1:1.1. Faecal smears in saline and iodine were examined for protozoan cysts and helminth ova. Children positive for pathogens were given appropriate therapy. A total of 765 stool samples (from 496 children) were examined: 203 in 1986/87, 365 in 1988 and 197 in 1989. The prevalence of the soil-transmitted helminths was very low throughout, and the rates facAscarislumbricoides, Trichuristrtehiura and hookworm infection was always less than 4 %. Of the intestinal protozoan parasites, the cysts most commonly seen were those of Entamoeba coli, which was found at rates of 16%, 13% and 10% in 1986/87,1988 and 1989 respectively. The commonest pathogenic protozoan was however Giardia intestinalis (positivity rates: 10%, 10% and 8% respectively). lodamoeba butschlii was also detected at low levels, the rates being 3%, 1 % and 2% respectively. E. histolytica was not seen.