DEPARTMENT OF PARASITOLOGY

 

The Department of Parasitology commenced its teaching activities in 1995 for the Faculty's first batch of medical students. The department currently has staff strength of six academics, seven non-academic staff members.

Parasitic diseases represent an important cause of human morbidity and mortality. Knowledge and skills in this area will enable medical graduates to practice medicine successfully and scientists to pursue a career in the discipline of Parasitology or health sciences.

 

Participation in Undergraduate Training Programmes

The department participates in the following undergraduate degree programmes conducted by the faculty.

  • MBBS
  • B.Sc. (Human Biology) - General and Special
  • B.Sc. (Nursing)
  • B.Sc. (Medical Laboratory Sciences)

 

Participation in Postgraduate Training Programmes

The Department of Parasitology is a recognized training and examination centre for the following postgraduate training programmes of Postgraduate Institute of Medicine, University of Colombo.

  • Diploma in Medical Microbiology
  • MD in Medical Parasitology

We also provide training in diagnostic aspect to doctors from the Ministry of Health preparing for postgraduate examinations such as,

  • Qualifying Examination for MD in Paediatrics
  • Qualifying Examination for MD in Medicine
  • Qualifying Examination for Diploma in Paediatrics

We assist in assessments in

  • Diploma in Family Medicine
  • MD in Family Medicine

 

Teaching Activities

Lectures, practicals, small group discussions are conducted regularly by the academic staff members for all the above mentioned degree programmes.

 

Facilities

The department is located on the second floor of the Anatomy building. It comprises a fully air-conditioned seminar room, which has the capacity to accommodate 40 students. Two laboratories are located within the Department. One, a student laboratory that can accommodate 80 students, is shared with the Department of Microbiology. The other is a research laboratory that is equipped with a range of facilities, including those for culturing of parasites and identification through serology.


 

Services to the Community

The Department provides free laboratory diagnosis of parasitic diseases to the following:

  • Colombo South Teaching Hospital
  • Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital
  • University Medical Centre
  • University Family Practice Centre
  • Cancer Institute - Maharagama

 

Grants

Prof. Renu Wickramasinghe

  • Immunopathology of malaria - Funded by UNDP/World Bank/WHO Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR) 1994 USD 10,000.
  • To assess the therapeutic efficacy of Anti-malarial drugs for uncomplicated Plasmodium vivax malaria in Sri Lanka - Funded by UNDP/World Bank/WHO Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR). 2002 Rs. 477,500.00.
  • To assess the therapeutic efficacy of Chloroquine and SP for uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Sri Lanka - Funded by UNDP/World Bank/WHO Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR). 2002 Rs. 680,200.00.
  • Plasmodium vivax relapse pattern in Sri Lanka following a 5-day treatment with primaquine - Funded by the National Science Foundation, Sri Lanka 2004 Rs. 592,343.00.
  • Comparison of the prevalence of Toxoplams gobdi, strongyloides stercoralis and cryptosporidium parvum infections in a selected group of immunocompramised patients with that the normal population. - Funded by the University of Sri Jayewardenepura 2006 Rs 357,707.40.
  • Antibody testing in a sample clinically diagnosed and laboratory confirmed malaria patients to assess the accuracy of diagnosis - Funded by the Global Fund for the elimination of Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria and GFATM 2010 Rs 400,715.00.
  • Detection of Leishmania donovani in clinical samples using DNA based techniques in Sri Lanka. Funded by the National Research Council 2009 Rs. 2,964,800.00.
  • Detection of Leishmania antigen in cutaneous leishmaniasis skin lesions using a rapid diagnostic test kit - Funded by the University of Sri Jayewardenepura 2014 Rs. 416,600.00.
  • A sero-epidemiological study to provide supportive evidence to establish malaria elimination in Sri Lanka 2016 - funded by the National Research Council Sri Lanka Rs. 5,900,000.00.
  • A sero-epidemiological study to provide supportive evidence to establish malaria elimination in Sri Lanka 2016 - Funded by the University of Sri Jayewardenepura 2017 Rs. 1,450,000.00.

 

Dr. Shalindra Ranasinghe

  • Global Challenges Research Fund, Medical Research Council UK (MR/P024661/1); Ranasinghe S (Project Manager & Co-investigator from Sri Lanka) (PI-Professor Paul M Kaye). 2017-2020
  • Bill & Malinda Gates Foundation gran through PATH (GAT.1707-01618413-SUB). A multi-country, single-blinded, phase 2 study to evaluate a point-of-need system for rapid detection of leishmaniasis and its implementation in endemic settings (2018-2019) (Ranasinghe S. Co- investigator from Sri Lanka)
  • University of Sri Jayewardenepura Research Grant ASP/01/RE/MED/2016/70; Ranasinghe (PI) and two others. Validation of Mobile Suitcase Laboratory; a field based rapid diagnostic test and evaluating the efficacy of different culture media and sample preservation medium for PCR to diagnose cutaneous leishmaniasis in Sri Lanka.18/05/2016-17/05/2019
  • University of Sri Jayewardenepura Research Grant ASP/01/RE/MED/2015/45: Ranasinghe (PI) and two others; Prevalence of anti-Leishmania antibodies among patients in a Renal-Unit in a cutaneous leishmaniasis endemic area in Sri Lanka.; 01/05/2017; SLR 884, 772.75
  • University of Sri Jayewardenepura Research Grant ASP/06/RE/MED/2012/30. Ranasinghe (PI) and two others. Analysis of internal transcribed spaced (ITS) sequence of RNA gene and partial sequence of 6 phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGDH) gene of Leishmania DNA isolated from selected Sri Lankan patients with leishmaniasis.2012-2015. SLR: 213,150.00
  • National Research Council of Sri Lanka NRC-09-24. Wickremasinghe R (PI) & Ranasinghe PhD Student. Detection of Leishmania donovani in clinical samples using DNA based techniques in Sri Lanka. 2010-2013. SLR 2,965,800.00
  • University of Sri Jayewardenepura Research Grant ASP/06/RE/2008/03. Ranasinghe (PI). A study to assess the prevalence of sandflies in diagnosed cutaneous leishmaniasis patients' habitats. 2008-2010.

 

Dr. Hasini Banneheke

  1. Profile of micro-organisms with special emphasis on trichomoniasis among patients presenting with leucorrhoea and vaginal discharge. Funded by University of Sri Jayewardenepura University grants 2005.
  2. Performances at grade 5 scholarship examination and its correlates; IQ, child behaviour and home environment. Funded by University of Sri Jayewardenepura, University grants.
  3. Laboratory investigation of cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis in children with diarrhoea; a hospital based study.
  4. Controlled delivery of metronidazole from intra-vaginal polymer matrices for treatment of trichomoniasis and bacterial vaginosis.
  5. Controlled delivery of tinidazole from intra-vaginal polymer matrices for the treatment of trichomoniasis.
  6. The level of health profession students’ preparedness for clinical learning: perspectives of the supervisors.
  7. Formulation development and pharmacokinetics of tinidazole for its controlled delivery from intra-vaginal polymer matrices, for the treatment of trichomoniasis and bacterial vaginosis.
  8. Screening for human Echinococcosis (hydatid) infection among at risk adult human population in Western Province”. Funded by University of Sri Jayewardenepura (University grants 2016.
  9. Knowledge on antibiotics and antibiotic resistance among field public health midwives (PHMs) and public health inspectors (PHIS) in Sri Lanka.

 

Dr. Chamarika Jayanetti Weerasekera

  1. Survey on the prevalence of human strongyloidiasis among immunodeficient patients attending selected hospitals in Sri Lanka (molecular study component). Research Grant by the Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases of the World Health Organization. WHO registration no 2022/1205902-0 ; Purchase order no – 202805354