Journal/Magazine Articles
Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://repository.kln.ac.lk/handle/123456789/13
This collection contains original research articles, review articles and case reports published in local and international peer reviewed journals by the staff members of the Faculty of Medicine
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Item Setaria digitata in advancing our knowledge of human lymphatic filariasis(London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 2016) Perumal, A.N.; Gunawardene, Y.I.N.S.; Dassanayake, R.S.Setaria digitata is a filarial parasite that causes fatal cerebrospinal nematodiasis in goats, sheep and horses, resulting in substantial economic losses in animal husbandry in the tropics. Due to its close resemblance to Wuchereria bancrofti, this nematode is also frequently used as a model organism to study human lymphatic filariasis. This review highlights numerous insights into the morphological, histological, biochemical, immunological and genetic aspects of S. digitata that have broadened our understanding towards the control and eradication of filarial diseases.Item Geographic information system (GIS) mapping of lymphatic filariasis endemic areas of Gampaha District, Sri Lanka based on epidemiological and entomological screening(SEAMEO Regional Tropical Medicine and Public Health Project, 2012) Wijegunawardana, N.D.A.D.; Gunawardene, Y.I.N.S.; Manamperi, A.; Senarathne, H.; Abeyewickreme, W.The objective of this study was to develop a site directed geographic information system (GIS) map of lymphatic filariasis (LF) in Gampaha District, Sri Lanka as a guide for targeted control activities. Epidemiological and entomological screening of LF was carried out in nine pre-identified endemic areas in Gampaha District, using night blood screening and pool-screening PCR-ELISA. In total, 1,073 subjects (286 children, 787 adults) from 9 sites were examined. Positive cases were detected at 2 sites, with prevalence rates of 0.5% (Hekiththa) and 3.4% (Peliyagoda); the prevalence of microfilaria (mf) among adult Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes surveyed was 30%. The overall prevalence of mosquitoes with L1-L2 larvae of W. bancrofti ranged from 0% to 8.31% using dissection and point estimates of infection prevalence, and ranged from 0 to 32.4% using PCR-ELISA. The largest number of human cases was found at altitudes of 2.5-3.5 min highly populated areas, where transmission appears to have taken place. Questionnaires indicated that limited community awareness of LF may be a reason for the fairly static infection prevalent among the local population. The GIS mapping of LF cases shows a considerable prevalence of LF and marked variability by geographic site in Gampaha.Item A Simple and rapid non-radioactive oligonucleotide based hybridization assay for the detection of Wuchereria bancrofti.(SEAMEO Regional Tropical Medicine and Public Health Project, 1999) Gunawardene, Y.I.N.S.; Wijesundera, W.S.; Karunanayake, E.H.; Chandrasekharan, N.V.; Jayasekara, N.; Siridewa, K.Five biotin labeled oligonucleotides was designed based on a previously cloned and characterized repetitive DNA sequence specific for Wuchereria bancrofti. The oligonucleotide mix (containing five probes) when used in a hybridization assay, detected as little as 100 pg of purified W. bancrofti, microfilarial DNA, a single infective stage larva and a single microfilaria in 50 microl blood sample. A simple protocol was followed for the hybridization assay. Blood samples lysed with sterile distilled water and digested with proteinase K in the presence of a detergent were directly applied on to nylon membranes for dot blot assays. The DNA extract of mosquitos carrying infective stage larvae was eluted through sephadex G-50 minicolumns prior to blotting. The assay was also able to detect DNA extracted from microfilariae infected samples stored over five days at room temperature (28 degrees C). This simple and rapid oligonucleotide hybridization protocol with the highly sensitive chemiluminescent-based detection has significant potential for the development of a field kit to detect W. bancrofti infection.