Parasitic Diseases Research Unit – PDRU

The Parasitic Diseases Research Unit of the Department of Parasitology was formerly known as the Malaria Research Unit (MRU) (1988-2016). With the Department of Parasitology giving wider attention to all parasitic diseases of public health importance, the name change took place in 2016.

Number of research projects are carried out at the Parasitic Diseases Research Unit (PDRU) contributing to the research and development activities in Sri Lanka. The PDRU also provides diagnostic services for various parasitic diseases.

The permanent staff members attached to the Department of Parasitology actively involve in the activities of the PDRU. In addition there are research assistants who are carrying out various research projects at the PDRU.

 

Head’s message

“Welcome to the Parasitic Diseases Research Unit (PDRU) of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo. PDRU started its journey as Malaria research Unit (MRU) in 1988 under the leadership of Professor Kamini Mendis who is a globally renowned pioneering researcher in the field of malaria. Along with the successful elimination of malaria in Sri Lanka MRU was later on converted to PDRU with a view to cater to the growing needs in the broad fields in parasitology. Research work of the PDRU is currently supported by researchers and academics of the department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Colombo and a large number of local and international collaborators.

At present, PDRU focuses on research and training in a number of parasitic diseases that are of national and global significance. Leishmaniasis, which is a recently established growing health issue in the island, filariasis, helminthiases, entomology and zoonotic infections are to name a few. In addition, PDRU contributes to the essential surveillance based research activities that are going on at a national scale for malaria in Sri Lanka. In addition MRU/PDRU has immensely contributed to many successful stories in the field of parasitology in Sri Lanka. Elimination of malaria, helminthaises, filariasis are few of these achievements in which our past and present academic staff members have contributed as pioneers.

Leishmaniasis in Sri Lanka presents a unique scientific problem and a growing health issue to the country. PDRU and department of Parasitology has pioneered many key research projects and provided diagnosis and training support in many diseases in the country. Though Sri Lanka is declared a malaria free nation in 2016, the PDRU is carrying out research on malaria to support Sri Lanka’s prevention of re-introduction phase of malaria . Similarly, research on filariasis is also being carried out by this unit.

Many post graduate level research, training and diagnostic activities are carried out in the PDRU. This unit continues to serve many young scientists, local and international medical and other professionals, para medics while strengthening its scientific collaborations with many international institutions.

We are thankful to all our researchers, trainers, supporters and well-wishers who have contributed to the development of this unit in numerous ways.”

Achievements

Thirty six Ph.D.s and 6 M.Phil.s have been produced through PDRU.

Books on research

This book would be of interest to persons who are working in the health sector, patients with leishmaniasis and the general public who wish to know the basics about leishmaniasis – by Dr. N.H. Silva

News and Events

Grants awarded

  1. Grant received – University of New South Wales, Australia – To Prof. Deepika Fernando

New projects started in 2020 – ongoing research

  1. Screening high risk groups to prevent reintroduction of Malaria to Sri Lanka – PI Prof. Deepika Fernando
  2. Individuals identified as high risk will be screened for malaria using microscopy, Carestart RDT, a magneto-optical detector and PCR – PI Prof Deepika Fernando
  3. A sero-epidemiological study to provide supportive evidence to establish malaria elimination in Sri Lanka – PI Prof Deepika Fernando
  4. Novel and innovative strategies to control Anopheles stephensi and other malaria  vectors for prevention of re-introduction of malaria in Sri Lanka – PI Prof. Deepika Fernando
  5. Dengue infection in a cohort of Sri Lankan patients- Development of diagnostic and risk prediction models for use in clinical setting – PI Prof Deepika Fernando
  6. Toxoplasmosis and schizophrenia: Is there an association among Sri Lankan patients? A preliminary case-control study.  – PI Prof S. Gunawardena
  7. Characterization of antigens of medically important intestinal nematode eggs – PI Prof. S. Gunawardena
  8. A Multi-center, Double-blind, Randomized, 24-month study, to Compare the Efficacy of Doxycycline [once daily x 6 weeks] versus Placebo in improving Filarial Lymphedema (independent of active filarial infection).  – PI Prof S. Gunawardena
  9. To gain better insights in to the occurrence and the spread of leishmaniasis in Sri Lanka and Bhutan using biological, epidemiological and molecular tools – PI Prof N. Karunaweera –NIH – TMRC Project

Publications in 2024

  1. Hermali Silva, Tiago R Ferreira, Kajan Muneeswaran, Sumudu R Samarasinghe, Eliza VC Alves-Ferreira, Michael E Grigg, Naduviladath V Chandrasekharan, David L Sacks, Nadira D Karunaweera (2024). Autochthonous Leishmaniasis Caused by Leishmania tropica, Identified by Using Whole-Genome Sequencing, Sri Lanka. Emerging Infectious Diseases 30 (9), 1872
  2.  Sachee Bhanu Piyasiri, Sanath Senanayake, Nilakshi Samaranayake, Serena Doh, Eva Iniguez, Shaden Kamhawi, Nadira Darshani Karunaweera (2024). rPagSP02+ rPagSP06 recombinant salivary antigen is a reliable biomarker for evaluating exposure to Phlebotomus argentipes in Sri Lanka. https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-4633976/v1
  3. Sachee Bhanu Piyasiri, PA Fathima, Harish Kumar Shah, Sanath Senanyake, Nilakshi Samaranayake, Nadira Darshani Karunaweera, Manju Rahi, Prasanta Saini (2024). Comparative Analysis of Phlebotomus argentipes Vector of Leishmaniasis in India and Sri Lanka. Microorganisms 12 (7), 1459
  4. Tenzin Wangdi, Sanath Senanayake, Sithar Dorjee, Tashi Tobgay, Guofa Zhou, Sachee B Piyasiri, WM Lakshika I Weerasinghe, Nadira Karunaweera (2024). Distribution and Seasonal Variation of Phlebotomus and Sergentomyia Sand Fly Populations in Bhutan. The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. 110(6):1117-1126
  5. Tammy Allen, Maria Eugenia Castellanos, Paul Giacomin, Nadira D Karunaweera, Andreas Kupz, Juan Carlos LoL, Dileep Sharma, Suchandan Sikder, Bemnet Tedla, Liza van Eijk, Danica Vojisavljevic, Guangzu Zhao, Saparna Pai (2024). Next-generation vaccines for tropical infectious diseases. International Journal of Infectious Diseases Volume 143, June 2024, 107014.
  6. Thinley Dorji, Sithar Dorjee, Tenzin Wangdi, Tshokey Tshokey, Ambika Rani Pradhan, Kinley Penjor, Rinzin Namgay, Togbye Togbye, Nadira Karunaweera (2024). Efforts toward the Elimination of Visceral Leishmaniasis in South Asia: A Review of Progress in Bhutan. The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 110(4):633-638.
  7. Nuwani H Manamperi, Nimesha Madhushani Edirisinghe, Harshima Wijesinghe, Lakmali Pathiraja, Nishantha Pathirana, Vishmi Samudika Wanasinghe, Chamalka Gimhani De Silva, W Abeyewickreme, Nadira D Karunaweera (2024). Proteome profiling of cutaneous leishmaniasis lesions due to dermotropic Leishmania donovani in Sri Lanka. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Preprints. doi: 10.1101/2024.01.07.574579
  8. Rajika Dewasurendra, Nilakshi Samaranayake, Hermali Silva, Nuwani Manamperi, Upul Senerath, Sanath Senanayake, Nissanka De Silva, Panduka Karunanayake, Guofa Zhou, Nadira Karunaweera (2024). Risk factor analysis of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Sri Lanka through a nationwide survey. American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
  9. Charani Karunathilake, Narmadha Alles, Rajika Dewasurendra, Isurika Weerasinghe, Nipuni Chandrasiri, Sachee Bhanu Piyasiri, Nilakshi Samaranayake, Hermali Silva, Nuwani Manamperi, Nadira Karunaweera (2024). The use of recombinant K39, KMP11, and crude antigen-based indirect ELISA as a serological diagnostic tool and a measure of exposure for cutaneous leishmaniasis in Sri Lanka. Parasitology Research, Volume 123, article number 77
  10. Rajamanthrilage Kasun Madusanka, Nadira D Karunaweera, Hermali Silva, Angamuthu Selvapandiyan (2024). Antimony resistance and gene expression in Leishmania: spotlight on molecular and proteomic aspects. Parasitology, Volume 151 Issue 1.
  11. Seneviratne S, Fernando D, Wickremasinghe R, Senarathne S, Chulasiri P, Thenuwara N, Aluthweera C, Mohotti I, Jayakuru S, Fernando T, Wijesundara A, Fernandopulle R, Mendis. K (2024). An epidemiological analysis of severe imported malaria infections in Sri Lanka, after malaria elimination. Malaria Journal. 23:195 https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-024-05014-w
  12. K.T.Gunasekera, R.G.Premaratne, S.M.Handunnetti, J.Weerasena, S.Premawansa, D.Fernando (2024). msp1, msp2 and glurp genotyping to differentiate Plasmodium falciparum recrudescence from reinfections during prevention of re-establishment phase, Sri Lanka, 2014-2019. Malaria Journal; 23:25
  13. Mendis K, Fernando D, Ranaweera P, Gunasekera K, Fernando T, Newby G, Perera R, Caldera A, Wickremasinghe R (2024). Preventing the re-establishment of malaria during the COVID-19 pandemic in Sri Lanka: Implications for Health security. Malaria Journal. 23, 254. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-024-05080-0
  14.  J.Jude, N.Gunathilaka, T.Wijerathna, D. Fernando, R.Wickremasinghe, W.Abeyewickreme (2024). Distribution and seasonal variation of malaria vectors in the Mannar and Jaffna Districts; an entomological investigation during the phase of prevention of re-establishment of malaria in Sri Lanka. International Journal of Tropical Insect Science
  15. Panayiota Touloupou, Claudio Fronterre, Jorge Cano, Joaquin M Prada, Morgan Smith, Periklis Kontoroupis, Paul Brown, Rocio Caja Rivera, Sake J. de Vlas, Sharmini Gunawardena, Michael A. Irvine, Sammy M. Njenga, Lisa Reimer, Fikre Seife, Swarnali Sharma, Edwin Michael, Wilma A. Stolk, Rachel Pulan, Simon E. F. Spencer, and T. Déirdre Hollingsworth (2024). An Ensemble Framework for Projecting the Impact of Lymphatic Filariasis Interventions Across Sub-Saharan Africa at a Fine Spatial Scale. Clinical Infectious Diseases
  16. Yahathugoda TC, De Silva NL, Ruben J, Gunawardena S, Weerasooriya MV, Horton J, Budge P, Ottesen E, Sullivan SM, Stephens M, Shen J, Klarmann-Schulz U, Hoerauf A, Shott JP, Mackenzie C.LEDoxy-SL: A Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind, Randomized, 24-Month Trial of Six Weeks of Daily Doxycycline Plus Hygiene-Based Essential Care for Reducing Progression of Filarial Lymphedema in Sri Lanka. American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. 2024:tpmd240050 doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.24-0050. PMID: 39043165
  17. B. Deepachandi, S. Weerasinghe, P. Soysa, Y. Siriwardana (2024). Serological markers in prognostic monitoring: can ELISA discriminate between past and current infections of L. donovani induced cutaneous leishmaniasis? BMJ infectious diseases
  18. Senanayake SC, Liyanage P, Pathirage DRK, Siraj MFR, De Silva BGDNK, Karunaweera ND (2024) Impact of climate and land use on the temporal variability of sand fly density in Sri Lanka: A 2-year longitudinal study. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 18(11): e0012675. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0012675 19. Dewasurendra R, Karunaweera ND. (2024). Women’s Role in Transforming Food Systems in Sri Lanka– A Narrative Review. Transactions NAST PHL. 46: https://doi.org/10.57043/transnastphl.2024.4133
  19. 19. Dewasurendra R, Karunaweera ND. (2024). Women’s Role in Transforming Food Systems in Sri Lanka– A Narrative Review. Transactions NAST PHL. 46: https://doi.org/10.57043/transnastphl.2024.4133

Ph.Ds/ M. Phils awarded 2021

1. R.L Dewasurendra, Ph. D. (Studies on relapses and strain-specific protective immunity to Plasmodium cynomolgi infection in toque Defining host responses and parasite genetics in the context of malaria elimination in Sri Lanka)

Supervisors – Prof. N. Karunaweera, Prof. S. Gunawardena

2. M.A.B Deepachandi, Ph. D. (Study of antigen profile and immuno-epidemiology of human leishmaniasis in Sri Lanka)

Supervisors – Dr. H.V.Y.D Siriwardana, Prof. P. Soysa

Announcements
Workshop on Laboratory Diagnosis of Leishmaniasis

Workshop on Laboratory Diagnosis of Leishmaniasis

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