Summary

The study involves, application of more sensitive and accurate parasite DNA based (PCR) molecular diagnostics for the detection of lowly prevalent intestinal parasitic infections among school children. Prevalence of these parasitic infections are currently at the level where elimination is reachable with applying more stringent and tightened control efforts. However, it is critical to have advanced diagnostics in place to confirm the complete absence of these infections from the community.
Children who are diagnosed as having any of these parasitic infections during the study will be treated and provided with health education, as appropriate. On a broader scale, the novel DNA detection methods implemented in this study will help in accurate identification of people with single as well as multiple parasitic infections, and their disease severity. The molecular assays provide invaluable tools for detecting low prevalence/intensity infections, for monitoring parasite control programs, novel case detection, and in animal and environmental surveillance of intestinal parasitic infections, enabling improved surveillance; an assistance to reach disease elimination goals.

Objectives

(1) Characterization of the acute hantavirus infection among febrile people residing in two CKDu
endemic districts(Giradurukotte and Polonnaruwa)and non CKDu endemic district(Kandy)in Sri
Lanka; An epidemiological study
(2) To identify the genome of Hantavirus infected the individuals in selected districts
(3) Follow up on hantavirus positive cases to observe progression towards CKDu/Kidney damage and
early diagnosis and treatment plan
(4) Development of direct IgM enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) as a diagnostic tool for
detection of hantavirus infection using recombinant antigen prepared specifically for hantaviruses
genomically identified in Sri Lanka.
(5) Establishment of self-sustained hantavirus diagnostic laboratory in Department of Microbiology,
Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya.

Major Equipment Facilitated by Grant