Publications by authors named "Punchihewa P"

Homocystinuria due to cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS) deficiency is a rare metabolic disorder inherited as an autosomal recessive trait. Spectrum of genetic variants in gene and their correlation with the phenotypes of homocystinuria in Sri Lankan patients have not been reported to date. The objective of this study was to identify the genotypes and genotype-phenotype correlations in a cohort of Sri Lankan patients with homocystinuria due to CBS deficiency.

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Leprosy is a common skin disease in Sri Lanka which is being increasingly diagnosed due to the existing successful public health programme. Dapsone is a drug which holds unique pharmacological properties where it serves as both anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial agents. Of its main adverse effects, agranulocytosis is a serious consequence which is reported mainly in adults and elderly.

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Background: Reducing body weight by nutritional management is an integral element of cardiac rehabilitation and in secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Administration of a "plate model" is one practical aspect to control calorie intake. The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the plate model as a part of dietary modification in losing excess weight in post-myocardial infarction (MI) patients.

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Background: Misperception of body weight by individuals is a known occurrence. However, it is a potential target for implementing obesity reduction interventions in patients with cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. The aim of this study was to describe the association between self-perception of body weight and objectively measured body mass index (BMI) among cardiac patients in a specialist cardiology institution in Sri Lanka.

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We report a case of Chromobacterium violaceum septicaemia in a 10-year old boy admitted to hospital in September 2001, two weeks after he suffered a crush injury of the left foot. In spite of surgical debridement and antibiotics his condition worsened and he developed multiple liver and lung abscesses. He died one week after admission and a blood culture grew Chromobacterium violaceum.

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