Publications by authors named "P D N N Sirisena"

Background: Detecting SARS-CoV-2 using a simple real time molecular assay will be helpful for the mitigation efforts in low / middle income countries during the pandemic. We have developed and validated a rapid and simple real time loop mediated isothermal amplification assay (LAMP) for screening of SARS-CoV-2 infection in known infected and non-infected individuals.

Methods: Six sets of primers were designed targeting the N-gene of the SARS-CoV-2 (Accession ID MN994468).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Spatial and temporal changes in the dengue incidence are associated with multiple factors, such as climate, immunity among a population against dengue viruses (DENV), circulating DENV serotypes and vertical transmission (VT) of DENV in an area at a given time. The level of VT in a specific location has epidemiological implications in terms of viral maintenance in vectors. Identification of the circulating DENV serotypes in both patients and Aedes mosquito larvae in an area may be useful for the early detection of outbreaks.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Circulation of multiple dengue virus (DENV) serotypes in a locale has resulted in individuals becoming infected with mixed serotypes. This research was undertaken to study the clinical presentation, presence of DENV serotypes and serological characteristics of DENV infected patients with co-infections from three Provinces of Sri Lanka where DENV-1 and -2 predominated during the study. A reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was performed on 1249 patient samples and 301 were positive for DENV (24.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) and dengue virus (DENV) are important arboviruses transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes. These viruses are known to coexist within the same vector and coinfect the same host. Although information is available on the mechanism of replication of CHIKV and DENV when present independently in a vector, reports are lacking on the dynamics of virus-vector interactions when these viruses coexist in a mosquito.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Mosquitoes live under the endless threat of infections from different kinds of pathogens such as bacteria, parasites, and viruses. The mosquito defends itself by employing both physical and physiological barriers that resist the entry of the pathogen and the subsequent establishment of the pathogen within the mosquito. However, if the pathogen does gain entry into the insect, the insect mounts a vigorous innate cellular and humoral immune response against the pathogen, thereby limiting the pathogen's propagation to nonpathogenic levels.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF