Clinical, Virological, and Immunological Features in Cosmopolitan Genotype DENV-2-Infected Patients during a Large Dengue Outbreak in Sri Lanka in 2017.

In 2017, Sri Lanka experienced its largest dengue epidemic and reported severe and unusual presentations of dengue with high morbidity. This outbreak was associated with the reemergence of dengue virus-2 (DENV-2), with the responsible strain identified as a variant of the previously circulating DENV-2 cosmopolitan genotype. In this study, we characterized the DENV-2 cosmopolitan genotype from patients during this epidemic.

The pattern of cytomegalovirus replication in post-renal transplant recipients with pre-emptive therapy strategy during the 1 year of post-transplantation.

Objectives: The prevalence and reactivating pattern of cytomegalovirus (CMV) among renal transplant recipients in Sri Lanka is scarce. The study was aimed to describe the replication patterns of CMV in post-renal transplant recipients who were on pre-emptive therapy and identify the risk factors and time period for CMV reactivating during the 1 year of transplantation and provide an insight into the selection of pre-emptive therapy in the local setting.

Methods: A retrospective and cohort study was conducted, enrolling renal transplant recipients who have completed routine 1-year follow-up for pre-emptive management at the National Hospital, Kandy, from January 2016 to January 2021.

Epidemiological evidence of acute transmission of Zika virus infection in dengue suspected patients in Sri-Lanka.

Background: Zika Virus (ZIKV) is a re-emerging, arthropod-borne flavivirus transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes (Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus).

Demographic and clinical characteristics of human bocavirus-1 infection in patients with acute respiratory tract infections during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Central Province of Sri Lanka.

Background: Human bocavirus-1 (hBoV-1) was first detected in respiratory specimens in 2005. Due to high co-infection rates and prolonged shedding of the virus, the pathogenic role of hBoV-1 as a primary causative agent of respiratory infections is still under discussion. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of hBoV-1 infection in patients with acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs) during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Central Province of Sri Lanka.

Acute hemorrhagic pancreatitis following influenza infection: a case report.

Background: Acute hemorrhagic pancreatitis is a life-threatening condition leading to shock and multiorgan failure. Although prevalent in the general population, the incidence during pregnancy is low, with a high maternal and fetal mortality rate. The highest incidence is in the third trimester/early postpartum period.

Prevalence, clinical, and demographic characteristics of concomitant dengue fever and leptospirosis among acute dengue fever patients in The Western Province of Sri Lanka.

Dengue and leptospirosis are hyperendemic diseases in Sri Lanka. We aimed to determine the prevalence and clinical manifestations of concomitant infections of leptospirosis and acute dengue infection (ADI) in clinically suspected dengue patients. A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in five hospitals in the Western Province, from December 2018 to April 2019.

Identifying the research, advocacy, policy and implementation needs for the prevention and management of respiratory syncytial virus lower respiratory tract infection in low- and middle-income countries.

Introduction: The high burden of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in young children disproportionately occurs in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The PROUD (Preventing RespiratOry syncytial virUs in unDerdeveloped countries) Taskforce of 24 RSV worldwide experts assessed key needs for RSV prevention in LMICs, including vaccine and newer preventive measures.

Methods: A global, survey-based study was undertaken in 2021.

Diagnostic utility and validation of a newly developed real time loop mediated isothermal amplification method for the detection of SARS CoV-2 infection.

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).

Hantavirus Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome - Suspected Cases in Sri Lanka: Clinical Picture and Epidemiology from 2013-2021.

Hantavirus hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) is an emerging zoonotic disease in Europe and Asia, which is clinically indistinguishable from leptospirosis. A total of 1,032 patients with clinical suspicion of HFRS-like illness were included in the analysis from March 2013 to March 2021. Of these, 168 were positive for hantavirus immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies.

Emergence of Genotype I of Dengue Virus Serotype 3 during a Severe Dengue Epidemic in Sri Lanka in 2017.

During the 2017 outbreak of severe dengue in Sri Lanka, dengue virus (DENV) serotypes 2, 3, and 4 were found to be co-circulating. Our previous study of 295 patients from the National Hospital Kandy in Sri Lanka between March 2017 and January 2018 determined that the dominant infecting serotype was DENV-2. In this study, we aimed to characterize the DENV-3 strains from non-severe and severe dengue patients from our previous study population.

Hantavirus Infections-Treatment and Prevention.

Purpose Of Review: Hantavirus infection is an emerging zoonosis and there are two main clinical presentations, hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) and Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS). Although Hantavirus infections have a worldwide distribution with a high mortality rate, a safe and effective vaccine or an antiviral drug against the Hantavirus disease is yet to be available. This review summarizes all the efforts undertaken to develop medical countermeasures in vitro, in vivo, and human clinical trials against Hantavirus infections.

Complete genome analysis and characterization of neurotropic dengue virus 2 cosmopolitan genotype isolated from the cerebrospinal fluid of encephalitis patients.

Dengue virus (DENV) infection remains a major public health concern in many parts of the world, including Southeast Asia and the Americas. Sri Lanka experienced its largest dengue outbreak in 2017. Neurological symptoms associated with DENV infection have increasingly been reported in both children and adults.

Unusual, neurological and severe dengue manifestations during the outbreak in Sri Lanka, 2017.

Background: Sri Lanka experienced its largest dengue outbreak in 2017 with more than 185,000 dengue cases including at least 250 fatalities.

Objectives: Our study aimed to characterize the clinical, immunological and virological features of confirmed dengue patients in Sri Lanka during the outbreak in 2017 when unusual manifestations of severe dengue were observed.

Study Design: Sera from 295 patients who were admitted to Teaching Hospital Kandy, Kandy, Sri Lanka between March 2017- January 2018 were subjected to NS1 antigen, IgM and IgG ELISAs, virus isolation, conventional and real time RT-PCR and next generation sequencing.

Pathogenetic Potential Relating to Metabolic Activity in a Mouse Model of Infection with the Chikungunya Virus East/Central/South African Genotype.

Epidemics of the Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) from 2004 onwards were caused by the East/Central/South African (ECSA) genotype. However, the pathogenesis of the genotype infection has not been fully explained. In this study, we examined the pathogenic potential of CHIKV ECSA genotype M-30 (M-30) by comparing it with that of African genotype S-27 (S-27) in mice.

Characterization of the 2013 dengue epidemic in Myanmar with dengue virus 1 as the dominant serotype.

In 2013 in Myanmar, dengue epidemic occurred with 20,255 cases including 84 deaths. This study aimed to determine the serological and molecular characteristics of dengue virus (DENV) infection among children with clinical diagnosis of dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) or dengue shock syndrome (DSS) during this period. Single acute serum samples were collected from 300 children in Mandalay Children Hospital, Mandalay, Myanmar.