Impact of environmental factors on Apis dorsata (giant Asian honeybee) venom in Bandarawela, Sri Lanka.

Apis dorsata stings are amongst the most frequent insect-stings in Sri Lanka. A. dorsata venom consists of a mixture of components including PLA, melittin, hyaluronidase and apamin.

Development and Evaluation of In-House ELISAs for the Detection of SARS-CoV-2-Specific Antibodies in COVID-19 Patients in Sri Lanka.

COVID-19 serological tests complement the molecular diagnostics and can be used as important tool for serosurveillance and vaccine efficiency evaluation. The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate the diagnostic performance of an in-house ELISA for retrospective serosurveillance of SARS-CoV-2. Total IgG and IgM levels in sera of PCR positive SARS-CoV-2 patients ( = 50) from North Colombo Teaching Hospital were evaluated and compared with sera ( = 50) collected from prepandemic healthy individuals as controls.

Identification of allergens in Artocarpus heterophyllus, Moringa oleifera, Trianthema portulacastrum and Syzygium samarangense.

Background: It is clinically important to identify allergens in Artocarpus heterophyllus (jackfruit), Moringa oleifera (moringa), Trianthema portulacastrum (horse purslane) and Syzygium samarangense (rose apple). This study included 7 patients who developed anaphylaxis to jackfruit (1), moringa (2), horse purslane (3) and rose apple (1). We sought to determine allergens in the edible ripening stages of jackfruit (tender, mature, and ripened jackfruit) and seeds, edible parts of moringa (seeds, seedpod, flesh inside seedpod, and leaves), horse purslane leaves and ripened rose apple fruit.

Identification of allergens in coconut milk and oil with patients sensitized to coconut milk in Sri Lanka.

Background: Despite the low prevalence of IgE sensitivity to fresh or boiled coconut milk and coconut oil, those may contain allergens of which the clinical significance remains undetermined. This study aimed to identify and compare allergens in fresh coconut milk (FCM), boiled coconut milk (BCM), unrefined wet-processed coconut oil (WPCO), and dry-processed coconut oil (DPCO) using sera from patients with allergy to coconut milk.

Methods: The study included 18 patients with immediate hypersensitivity to coconut milk, including five who developed anaphylaxis.

Diagnosis of Apis dorsata venom allergy: use of recombinant allergens of Apis mellifera and a passive basophil activation test.

Background: Allergy to Apis dorsata (Giant Asian Honeybee) venom is the commonest insect allergy in Sri Lanka and South East Asia. However, laboratory diagnosis is difficult as the pure venom and diagnostic reagents are not commercially available.

Objective: This study assessed the use of four recombinant allergens of A.

Comparison of two rapid test kits with real time polymerase chain reaction for early diagnosis of dengue in Sri Lanka.

Dengue is among the deadliest insect-borne diseases circulating in Sri Lanka. Most of the infections that are diagnosed early are manageable. However, delays in diagnosis may cause fatalities.

Diagnosis of venom allergy: use of immunochemical methods and a passive basophil activation test.

Background: Allergy to venom is common in the Asia Pacific region. Venom preparations for diagnosis are not commercially available for this species.

Methods: The prominent allergens in venom were identifiedusing immunochemical methods.

IgE cross-reactivity of phospholipase A and hyaluronidase of Apis dorsata (Giant Asian Honeybee) and Apis mellifera (Western Honeybee) venom: Possible use of A. mellifera venom for diagnosis of patients allergic to A. dorsata venom.

Diagnostic and therapeutic reagents are unavailable for anaphylaxis arising from stings by Apis dorsata. Venom profiles and cross-reactivity of A. dorsata and Apis mellifera were compared, to ascertain whether venom of A.