Intestinal parasites and the growth status of internally displaced children in Sri Lanka.

The growth status and intestinal parasitic infections among a group of children displaced by war in Sri Lanka was investigated. There was a high prevalence of growth retardation (wasting, stunting and underweight being 41%, 28% and 69.9%, respectively) and intestinal parasitic infections (40.

Point mutations in the dihydrofolate reductase and dihydropteroate synthase genes of Plasmodium falciparum and resistance to sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine in Sri Lanka.

Sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) is the second-line treatment for Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Sri Lanka. Resistance to SP is caused by point mutations in the dihydrofolate reductase (Pf-dhfr) and dihydropteroate synthase (Pf-dhps) genes of P. falciparum.

Chloroquine resistant falciparum malaria among security forces personnel in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka.

Objective: To determine the occurrence and species distribution of malaria and the extent of chloroquine resistance among security forces personnel in a selected region of the Northern Province of Sri Lanka.

Design: A descriptive study.

Setting: Mannar District in the Northern Province.