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This repository contains the published and unpublished research of the Faculty of Medicine by the staff members of the faculty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 Red blood cell antioxidant levels in Wuchereria bancrofti infections(Academic Press, 2002) Premaratna, R.; Chandrasena, T.G.A.N.; Abeyewickreme, W.; Chandrasena, L.G.; Senerath, S.; de Silva, N.R.; de Silva, H.J.The elimination of microfilariae of Wuchereria bancrofti is probably mediated by free radicals. Red cell catalase (C), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity levels were measured as an indirect method of assessing blood oxidant status in 29 asymptomatic microfilaraemics, 29 "endemic normals", and 29 controls living in a non-endemic area. Changes in the activity of these enzymes were also compared over a one month period in 22 asymptomatic microfilaraemics randomised to receive either single dose or 14 day treatment with diethyl carbamazine citrate (DEC). Red cell GPX activity levels were significantly higher in "endemic normals" when compared to mf positive cases and non-endemic controls. An early and significant increase in GPX activity (on days 3, 7 and 14 compared to pretreatment levels, p<0.01) was observed after DEC in both treatment groups. Increases in the activity of catalase and SOD became significant only on days 14 and 30 respectively. The percentage reduction in microfilaraemia correlated significantly with the percentage increase in GPX activity levels (R(2)=0.58, p=0.6 x 10(-5)). Our results may suggest a role for GPX related oxidant species in the elimination of microfilariae.Item Compliance with the mass chemotherapy program for lymphatic filariasis(Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2001) Kasturiratne, K.T.A.A.; Premaratna, B.A.H.R.; Pathmeswaran, A.; de Silva, N.R.; de Silva, H.J.OBJECTIVE: To evaluate compliance with the single dose mass chemotherapy program for control of filariasis, and to determine factors influencing compliance in the Gampaha district. DESIGN: A prospective study employing a pre-tested self-administered questionnaire. METHODS: Four groups comprising individuals over one year old with residence in the Gampaha district for over one year were surveyed. Data collection was started two weeks after the mass chemotherapy program. RESULTS: 2300 questionnaires were distributed, 1983 (86.2 percent) were returned, and 1935 (84.1 percent) were sufficiently complete for analysis (857 males; mean age 39 years, SD equal 19.5). Over 96 percent had heard of filariasis and the mass chemotherapy program, but only 60.3 percent of those over 11 years of age were aware of asymptomatic carriage of the parasite. 1289 (66.6percent) out of the total sample surveyed (1935 individuals) had obtained the diethylcarbamazine tablets, and 1221 (63.1 percent) had taken the drug. Of the possible demographic factors that could have influenced compliance only educational level seemed to play an independent significant role, compliance being lowest at both extremes of educational level. The main problem with compliance was obtaining the drug from distribution centres. CONCLUSIONS: Compliance with the mass chemotherapy program to control filariasis needs improvement. Strategies should include a better system for distributing the drug, and altering the content of the publicity material used by the program to target less compliant groups, and improve aspects of knowledge regarding filariasis that seem inadequate at present.