Comparative in-vivo toxicity of venoms from South Asian hump-nosed pit vipers (Viperidae: Crotalinae: Hypnale).

Background: Envenoming by south Asian hump-nosed pit vipers (Genus: Hypnale) is a significant health issue in Sri Lanka and in peninsular India. Bites by these snakes frequently lead to local envenoming, coagulopathy and acute renal failure even resulting in death. Recently the genus was revised and the existence of three species viz H.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis in Sri Lanka: a study of possible animal reservoirs.

Background: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) has been detected with increasing frequency in Sri Lanka in recent years. Leishmania donovani has been identified as the causative agent, but no information is available on vector(s) or reservoir(s). In this paper we present data on the screening of possible reservoirs for evidence of infection.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis, Sri Lanka.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is an emerging disease in Sri Lanka. Of 116 patients with clinical symptoms suggestive of CL, 86 were confirmed positive for Leishmania donovani. Most patients had single dry lesions, usually on the face.

Case reports: intra-aural tick infestations in humans in Sri Lanka.

Intra-aural tick infestation was detected in 29 patients presenting with acute ear pain in the central province of Sri Lanka during June 1999 to January 2002. The ages ranged from 9 months to 67 years. All showed oedematous aural canals and enlarged adjacent lymph nodes.

Soil contamination with geohelminth ova in a tea plantation.

Objective: To determine the degree of soil pollution in an area of high prevalence and the risk of exposure to geohelminth infection.

Design: A cross-sectional study.

Setting: A division of a large tea plantation in Kandy.