Medicine
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This repository contains the published and unpublished research of the Faculty of Medicine by the staff members of the faculty
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Item Re-emergence of chikungunya in Sri Lanka: First confirmation of the 2006 outbreak by molecular diagnosis(Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science, 2007) Perera, E.D.T.; Wijesiriwardena, B.; Hapugoda, M.D.; Bandara, K.B.A.T.; Dayanath, M.Y.D.; Wellawaththage, L.C.; Gunawardena, N.K.; Hapuarachchi, C.; Abeyewickreme, W.Chikungunya virus infection is clinically similar to many other acute febrile illnesses, such as dengue infection, malaria, west nile fever and leptospirosis. Rapid confirmation of the outbreak by laboratory diagnosis is important to ensure public health safety by appropriate patient management and controlling the disease. Molecular diagnosis by Reverse Transcriptase- Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) assists rapid diagnosis. The objective of the present study was to determine the clinical manifestations of chikungunya confirmed patients in Sri Lanka. Venous blood samples and clinical information were collected from 66 chikungunya suspected patients having fever of less than 4 days from different geographical areas in Sri Lanka during the period September 2006 to February 2007. Serum samples were tested for chikungunya RNA by RT-PCR. Amplified products were visualized by agarose gel electrophoresis. Among 66 suspected patients, 51% (34/66) were positive for chikungunya by RT-PCR assay and 55.9% (19/34) were females. All age groups were affected similarly with the mean age of 41 years (range = 4 months to 80 years). Of the PCR positive 34, all had fever with either arthralgia or arthritis or both. Most of them had only pain in the joints without swelling (arthralgia only); 67.6% (23/34) in knee, 55.9% (19/34) in ankle, 50% (17/34) in wrist, 44.1% (15/34) in elbow and 52.9% (18/34) in small joints. Arthritis of ankle joint 35.2% (12/34) was more frequent compared with arthritis of the knee joint17.6% (6/34). PCR positive patients manifested more symptoms compared with PCR negative patients; 85.3% (29/34) headache, 79.4% (27/34) backache, 58.8% (20/34) nausea and 61.8% (21/34) vomiting. Compared with dengue, most of the chikungunya patients did not have dermatological manifestations. This is the first confirmation of the 2006 chikungunya outbreak in Sri Lanka. Some of the patients who had symptoms suggestive of chikungunya, tested by PCR were negative. These patients were probably suffering from other illnesses such as dengue. Acknowledgements: The International Atomic Energy Agency (TC SRL 6/028) for technical cooperationItem Factors affecting transmission of chikungunya using Geographical Information System (GIS)(Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science, 2009) Hapugoda, M.D.; Gunawardena, N.K.; Kusumawathie, P.H.D.; Jayasooriya, G.A.J.S.K.; Abeyewickreme, W.Transmission of chikungunya has been observed in many parts of Sri Lanka during the past few years. The objective of this study was to identify possible factors affecting transmission of chikungunya in a high risk area and to intervene and monitor those using GIS. Entomological, environmental, socio-economic and other possible factors were examined with regard to a chikungunya hot-spot in Kandy municipality for 12 months starting from April 2008. Hundred house-holds from 33 clusters were recruited. The distant between each cluster was maintained at a minimum of 200 m. Micro level approaches for collection of position, population, environmental, socio-economic and other related information were performed at each house-hold through a pre-tested questionnaire. Monthly entomological and epidemiological surveillance were conducted for 12 months. Digital topographical maps and meteorological information were obtained. GIS was used to map the selected households and to highlight the spatial and temporal distribution of factors under study. Selected risk area was an urban area where homesteads were the major land use pattern. The weather pattern of the study area was typical that of the Wet Zone. Entomological surveillance conducted showed the presence of high density of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes in more than 90% of the key (artificial) breeding habitats. Socio-economic data revealed although all house-holds have a sound knowledge on transmission on dengue including preventive measures, they were less concerned about the key mosquito breeding sites. GIS maps generated during the study showed distribution of these identified factors in all clusters. House index and man hour density of Ae. albopictus showed a positive correlation with rainfall, with a lag period of 2 and 3 months. The generalized high density of Ae. Albopictus suggest that this species may play a major role in transmitting chikungunya in the study area. In conclusion, the presence of high density of Ae. albopictus and lack of concern about key mosquito breeding sites in all clusters may be important risk factors. GIS-based maps can be used as an important tool to find out spatial and temporal distribution of possible risk factors in a selected hotspot, which would enable health authorities to prioritize implementation of control activities in a cost effective manner