• Medical Research Institute - Sri Lanka

    The premier medical research institute in Sri Lanka

  • Medical Research Institute - Sri Lanka

    The premier medical research institute in Sri Lanka

  • Medical Research Institute - Sri Lanka

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Research and Publications by the Department of Mycology

Ongoing research

  1. Antifungal sensitivity of common zygomycetes species isolated from sino-nasal specimens in Sri Lanka 2013- 2021
  2. Study on the Clinical outcome of patients with mycologically proven fungal keratitis who undergo therapeutic penetrating keratoplasty in National Eye Hospital, Sri Lanka from 1.01.2023 to 31.12.2023.
  3. Clinico epidemiological, mycological and therapeutic profile of Dermatophytosis in Sri Lanka.

Publications

Full article publications

  1. Laboratory Manual in Microbiology, second edition 2011. Sri Lanka College of Microbiologists. Co-author. LABORATORY MANUAL IN MICROBIOLOGY – SECOND EDITION (2011) – Sri Lanka College of Microbiologists (slmicrobiology.lk)
  1. Is fungal disease in Sri Lanka underestimated? A comparison of reported fungal infections with estimated disease burden using global data. P.I. Jayasekera, D. Denning, P. Perera, A. Fernando, S. Kudavidanage. Sri Lankan Journal of Infectious Diseases 2015 Vol.5 (2):73-85.  http://doi.org/10.4038/sljid.v5i2.8055
  1. Candidaemia – A review. L. S. M. Sigera, P. I. Jayasekera. Journal of Kurunegala Clinical Society 2015. Vol. 7: 23-34. (17) (PDF) Candidaemia -A Review (researchgate.net)
  1. Rhinocerebral mucormycosis: a case report. G.C.S. Gunasekera, C.G.U.A. Patabendige, P.I. Jayasekera, R.P. Dayasena. Sri Lankan Journal of Infectious Diseases 2016 Vol.6 (1):67-70. http://doi.org/10.4038/sljid.v6i1.8100
  1. Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis Complicated with Pneumopericardium and Pneumothorax in an Adult Patient with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia, Successfully Treated with Amphotericin B: Case Report and a Review. Somawardana U.A.B.P., Pieris D.C., Gunasekara S., Jayasekara P.I., Sigera L.S.M., Alagiyawanna A.M.A.L.R. Ann Hematol Oncol – Volume 4 Issue 6 – 2017 ISSN: 2375- Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis Complicated with Pneumopericardium and Pneumothorax in an Adult Patient with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia, Successfully Treated with Amphotericin B: Case Report and a Review (austinpublishinggroup.com)
  1. Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis – A Review Article. Jayawardene M. N., Jayasekera P. I. The Bulletin of the Sri Lanka College of Microbiologists. Vol. 15-2017:53-56 ISSN 1391-930x. (17) (PDF) Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis (researchgate.net)
  2. Conidiobolomycosis – A Review. Sigera L. S. M., Jayasekera P. I. The Bulletin of the Sri Lanka College of Microbiologists. Vol. 15-2017:56-59 ISSN 1391-930x. (17) (PDF) CONIDIOBOLOMYCOSIS -A REVIEW (researchgate.net)
  1. Antifungal sensitivity profile of Fusarium spp. resulting keratitits – A preliminary study. LSM Sigera, PI Jayasekera, ULF Shabry and MA Malkanthi. Archives of Infectious Diseases & Therapy 2017 Sep. Volume 1: Issue 1: 1-6. (17) (PDF) Antifungal sensitivity profile of Fusarium spp. resulting keratitits – A preliminary study (researchgate.net)
  1. Unilateral Cervical Lymphadenopathy due to Cladosporium oxysporum: A Case Report and Review of the Literature. R. D. Jayasinghe, W. A. M. U. L. Abeysinghe, P. I. Jayasekara, Y. S. Mohomed, and B. S. M. S. Siriwardena. Case Reports in Pathology 2017. Volume 2017, Article ID 5036514, 4 pages. https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/5036514
  1. Madurella grisea: a case report on an uncommon cause for mycetoma. MN Jayawardena, NNTM Wickremasinghe, PI Jayasekera. Sri Lankan Journal of Infectious Diseases 2017. Vol. 7(2):127-130. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/sljid.v7i2.8140
  1. Disfiguring facial mycoses- a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Janappriya, G. H. D. C., Gunasekera, C. N., Keragala, B. S. D. N., Dissanayake, B. S., Liyanagama, P. D., Shanmuhathas, V., Thanushah, B., Sigera, L. S. M. and Jayasekera, P.I. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol May 2018. Volume 32, Issue 5; e167-e168. https://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.14670
  1. Guideline on Antimicrobial Prophylaxis and Empirical Treatment in Patients with Primary Immune Deficiencies (Inborn Errors of Immunity). Co-author. Guideline on Antimicrobial Prophylaxis and Empirical Treatment in Patients with Primary Immune Deficiencies (Inborn Errors of Immunity) – Sri Lanka College of Microbiologists (slmicrobiology.lk)
  1. Guidelines on Microbiological Investigations, Antimicrobials, Vaccines, Infection Prevention and Control Practices in Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Sri Lanka by Sri Lanka College of Microbiologists 2017. Co-author. Guidelines on Microbiological Investigations, Antimicrobials, Vaccines, Infection Prevention and Control Practices in Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation – Sri Lanka College of Microbiologists (slmicrobiology.lk)
  1. Cutaneous mucormycosis caused by Saksenaea vasiformis in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus. Liyanage Shamithra Madhumali Sigera, Kavinga Kalhari Kobawaka Gamage, Melani Naamal Jayawardena, Wijewickrama Punchihewage Harshula Abeydeera, Matharage Ariyalatha Malkanthi, Primali Irosha Jayasekera, Charini Geethika Upulkanthi Arukattu Patabendige, Arumabaduge Harshini Niranjali Fernando. Clinical Case Reports 2018; 1–5. DOI: 10.1002/ccr3.1698. Cutaneous mucormycosis caused by Saksenaea vasiformis in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus – Sigera – 2018 – Clinical Case Reports – Wiley Online Library
  1. Pythiosis: A Pseudo Fungal Infection. L. S. M. Sigera, P. I. Jayasekera. The Bulletin of the Sri Lanka College of Microbiologists. Vol. 16-2018:82-84 ISSN 1391-930x. (17) (PDF) Pythiosis: A pseudo fungal infection (researchgate.net)
  1. Sepsis with cerebral lupus…. or is it? A case report on cryptococcaemia. M.N Jayawardena, S Sigera, B Rathnayake, RH Lewkebandara, L Rajakaruna, P Jayasekera. Sri Lankan Journal of Infectious Diseases 2018 Vol.8 (2):137-141.  DOI: http://doi.org/10.4038/sljid.v8i2.8214
  1. Candida blood stream infections in Sri Lanka: a retrospective evaluation by the National Mycology Reference Laboratory. Jayawardena M.N., Sigera L.S.M., Thabrew H., Kudavidanage S., Malkanthi M.A., Perera P.D., Jayasekera P.I. Journal of Ratnapura Clinical Society 2018. ISSN 2536-7978. (17) (PDF) Candida blood stream infections in Sri Lanka: a retrospective evaluation by the National Mycology Reference Laboratory (researchgate.net)
  1. First case of dermatophytosis caused by Microsporum persicolor in Sri Lanka. L.S.M. Sigera, U.L.F. Shabry, M.A. Malkanthi, P.I. Jayasekera. Journal of Ratnapura Clinical Society 2018. ISSN 2536-7978. http://dx.doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.29926.14409
  2. Retrospective analysis of specimens for fungal studies received at Department of Mycology, Medical Research Institute, Sri Lanka. Sigera L.S.M, Jayawardenea M.N, Kudavidanage S, Perera P.D, Ediriweera D, Malkanthi M.A., Jayasekera P.I. Journal of Ratnapura Clinical Society 2018. ISSN 2536-7978. (17) (PDF) Retrospective analysis of specimens for fungal studies received at Department of Mycology, Medical Research Institute, Sri Lanka (researchgate.net)
  1. Histoplasma capsulatum Caused a Localized Tongue Ulcer in a Non-HIV Patient—A Case from Non endemic Country. Liyanage Shamithra Madhumali Sigera, Sumith Ruwan Gunawardane, Matharage Ariyalatha Malkanthi, Ruwan Duminda Jayasinghe, M. A. M. Sitheeque, Wanninayake Mudiyanselage Tilakaratne, Primali Irosha Jayasekera. Ear, Nose & Throat Journal 2020, Vol. 99(6)379-381. https://doi.org/10.1177/0145561319844246
  1. Histoplasmosis in Sri Lanka – a masquerader in a strange land: A Case Report. M.N. Jayawardena, K. Siriwardane, P. Jayasooriya, S. Sigera, P. Jayasekera. Sri Lankan Journal of Infectious Diseases 2019 Vol.9 (2):152-155. DOI: http://doi.org/10.4038/sljid.v9i2.8242
  1. A neglected case of facial chromoblastomycosis caused by Rhinocladiella. T. P. Alahakoon, C. Udagedara, L. S. M. Sigera, N. G. N. Wijayawardhane, P. Rathnayake, P. I. Jayasekara, P. G. R. I. S. Welagedara, D. M. C. Sewwandi. Sri Lanka Journal of Dermatology, 2019/2020, 21: 84-86. (17) (PDF) A neglected case of facial chromoblastomycosis caused by Rhinocladiella (researchgate.net)
  1. Novel and successful antifungal combination therapy for disfiguring facial mycoses. G. H. D. C. Janappriya, C. N. Gunasekera, B. S. D. N. Keragala, B. S. Dissanayake, P. D. Liyanagama, V. Shanmuhathas, B. Thanushah, L. S. M. Sigera, P. I. Jayasekera. Sri Lanka Journal of Dermatology, 2019/2020, 21: 36-40. 2Novel and successful antifungal combination therapy for disfiguring facial mycoses – Search (bing.com)
  1. Cutaneous histoplasmosis mimicking leprosy – a case report. J. Prashanthi, M. N. Mahesha, L. S. M. Sigera, S. Gunasekara, C. S. P. Soosai, P. I. Jayasekera. Sri Lanka Journal of Dermatology, 2019/2020, 21: 76-78. (17) (PDF) Cutaneous histoplasmosis mimicking leprosy -a case report (researchgate.net)
  1. Candida auris: A brief review. LSM Sigera, MN Jayawardena, H Thabrew, PI Jayasekera. Sri Lankan Journal of Infectious Diseases 2020 Vol.10 (1):2-8. http://doi.org/10.4038/sljid.v10i1.8270
  1. Rhinofacial Conidiobolomycosis: A Case Series and Review of the Literature. L. S. M. Sigera, G. H. D. C. Janappriya, M. T. D. Lakshan, N. J. Pitigalage, P. I. Jayasekera, R. P. Dayasena, C. G. U. A. Patabendige, and C. N. Gunasekera, Ear, Nose, Throat J 2021 Sep;100(5_suppl):835S-841S. Epub 2020 Mar 23 2020. doi: 10.1177/0145561319892475 Rhinofacial Conidiobolomycosis: A Case Series and Review of the Literature – PubMed (nih.gov)
  1. Mycetoma due to Madurella mycetomatis. L S M Sigera, K U L Narangoda, M Y Dahanayake, U L F Shabri, M A Malkanthi, Vijani Somarathne, P I Jayasekera, H A L P Kolambage Elsevier IDCases. 2020 May 30;21:e00857 doi: 10.1016/j.idcr.2020.e00857

Mycetoma due to Madurella mycetomatis – PubMed (nih.gov)

  1. Disseminated histoplasmosis presenting as nonhealing skin ulcers in an immunocompetent patient. Keragala, B.S.D.P., Gunasekera, C., Jayasekera, P., Sigera, S., Gamage, S., Jayawickrama, M., British Journal of Dermatology 2020 British Association of Dermatologists (2020) 183 (Suppl. 1), pp26. (16) (PDF) Disseminated histoplasmosis presenting as nonhealing skin ulcers in an immunocompetent patient (researchgate.net)
  1. Fusariosis in haematological malignancy – the skin is the clue… Experiences from the National Cancer Institute of Sri Lanka: A case report M.N. Jayawardena, S.H.C.K. De Silva, N.P. Madarasingha, M. Somathilake, S. Wanigasooriya, P.R. Chinthamani, L.S.M. Sigera, P.G.R.I.S. Welagedara, K.D.D.S. Wijeweera, P.G.R.U.M. Welagedara, Y.K. Perera, N.W.E.S. Nugahapola, U.E. Rathnayake, S.P. Gunasekera, P.I. Jayasekera. Sri Lankan Journal of Infectious Diseases 2021Vol.11(1):52-57. http://doi.org/10.4038/sljid.v11i1.8336
  1. Exophiala jeanselmei causing subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis in a healthy adult in Sri Lanka: A case report. P.G.R.I.S. Welagedara, L.S.M. Sigera, I.A. Liyanage, G.M.K. Bogammana, M.M. Abeykoon, P.I. Jayasekara. Sri Lankan Journal of Infectious Diseases 2021Vol.11(1):47-51 http://doi.org/10.4038/sljid.v11i1.8340
  1. Pulmonary mucormycosis – diagnostic dilemma and uphill battle in treatment: A case report on life threatening fungal infection. Sanchayan Thanancheyan, Aathavan Muthulingam, Nisanthan Selvaratnam, LSM Sigera, Primali Irosha Jayasekera. Journal of the Postgraduate Institute of Medicine 2021; 8(1): E130 1-9 http://doi.org/10.4038/jpgim.8303
  1. Mucormycosis – commonly known as “Black fungus”. Primali Jayasekera. Category: Covid19 Resources. Sri Lanka College of Microbiologists. Covid19 Resources – Sri Lanka College of Microbiologists (slmicrobiology.lk)
  1. Mucormycosis (Black fungus) and COVID-19: is it a deadly combination? Primali Jayasekera. SLMA News Letter May 2021. Page 12-15. (16) (PDF) Mucormycosis (Black fungus) and COVID-19: is it a deadly combination? (researchgate.net)
  1. A rare case of E. coli and Rhizopus sinusitis complicated with pneumocephalus, E. coli psoas abscess and sepsis Dulanga Rathnayake, Basith M. M, Tharmini E, Umakanth M., Sundaresan K T, P I Jayasekara, L S M Sigera, P G R I S Welagedara, Vaithehi Francis. Access Microbiology, Volume 3, Issue 7. https://doi.org/10.1099/acmi.0.000243
  1. Guideline on collection and transport of autopsy specimen of a suspected or confirmed case of COVID 19, for fungal studies. Primali Jayasekera, Shamithra Sigera. Guidelines-to-send-COVID-19-autospsy-specimens-for-fungal-studies.pdf (slmicrobiology.lk)
  1. Guidelines on management of COVID-19 Associated Mucormycosis (CAM). Primali Jayasekera, Isanka Welagedara. http://dx.doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.32885.09443
  1. Guidelines on management of COVID-19 Associated Pulmonary Aspergillosis (CAPA). Primali Jayasekera, Udari Welagedara. (16) (PDF) Management of COVID 19 associated Pulmonary Aspergillosis (CAPA) (researchgate.net)
  1. COVID 19 associated Mucormycosis – Health Education leaflet (General public / patients) – English. Primali Jayasekera, Isanka Welagedara. (16) (PDF) COVID 19 associated Mucormycosis – Health Education leaflet (General public / patients) – English (researchgate.net)
  1. COVID 19 associated Mucormycosis – Health Education leaflet (General public / patients) – Sinhalese. Primali Jayasekera, Isanka Welagedara. (16) (PDF) COVID 19 associated Mucormycosis – Health Education leaflet (General public / patients) – Sinhalese (researchgate.net)
  1. Antifungal Stewardship – The Way Forward – Review article.   MN Jayawardena, LSM Sigera, H Thabrew, PGRIS Welagedara, PI Jayasekara. Annual Scientific Sessions of the Sri Lanka College of Microbiologists 2021 Bulletin page 53-56. (16) (PDF) Antifungal Stewardship – The Way Forward – Review article (researchgate.net)
  1. Rare things are there – An account on Histoplasmosis in Sri Lanka. PGRIS Welagedara, LSM Sigera, PI Jayasekera. Annual Scientific Sessions of the Sri Lanka College of Microbiologists 2021 Bulletin page 66-68. (16) (PDF) Rare Things Are There – An Account on Histoplasmosis in Sri Lanka (researchgate.net)
  1. Mucormycosis: A diagnostic and therapeutic challenge: A Case Report. D. Wickramasinghe, L. D. Liyanapathirana, N. Z. Miskin, L. M. S. Sigera, P. I. Jayasekera, R. L. P. R. Liyanage. Sri Lankan Journal of Infectious Diseases 2021, Vol 11, (2), 116-120. http://doi.org/10.4038/sljid.v11i2.8348
  1. Gastric blastomycosis masquerading as a malignancy in a child. S. A. Gunaratne, M. V. C. de Silva, M. C. Samarasinghe, L. S. M. Sigera, P. I. Jayasekera, Y. Ubaithullah. Journal of Paediatric Surgery Case Reports 76 (2022) 102113. (16) (PDF) Gastric Basidiobolomycosis masquerading as a malignancy in a child (researchgate.net)
  1. Characterization of Recalcitrant Dermatophytosis in a Multicenter Study in Sri Lanka. Nayani P. Madarasingha, Surammika Eriyagama, Primali I. Jayasekera, Shreenika De Silva, Saman Gunasekera, D. M. Munasingha, Premini Rajendran, S. M. B. Ekanayaka, Janani Liyanange, N. Thamilvannan, Buthsiri Sumanasena, Felicia Srisaravanabavanathan, Binari Wijenayake. Am. J. Trop. Med. Hyg., 107(1), 2022, pp. 117–121 https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.21-1022
  1. Microbiological pattern of intertrigo. A. B. Wickramanayake, L. S. M. Sigera, P. I. Jayasekera, Patabendige G, J. K. W. Akarawita. Sri Lankan Journal of Dermatology, Vol. 22, 2021, p 26-34. (16) (PDF) Clinical and microbiological pattern of intertrigo (researchgate.net)
  1. A case of subcutaneous infection caused by Basidiobolus ranarum in a child HMW Abeywardena, SD Ekanayake, P Wijeratne, M Hettiarachchi, A Rajamanthri. SLJID 2021 Vol 11 (Supplement) S3:25 10th Annual conference and scientific sessions 2021. http://doi.org/10.4038/sljid.v11i0.8462
DOI https://doi.org/10.12982/CMJS.2022.027
  1. Necessity of a National Fungarium and a Culture Collection for Fungi in Sri Lanka. Nalin N. Wijayawardene, Shalini Rajakaruna, Don-Qin Dai, Sandhya Jayasekara, Lakshan Warnakula, Sameera Ariyawansa, Eustace Y. Fernando, Primali Jayasekera, Samantha C. Karunarathna, Darshani Singhalage, Kanishka Ukuwela, R,G. Udeni Jayalal, R.P. Prabat K. Jayasinghe Jayasinghe, Nalika Palihawadana, Sumedha Madawala, Ilmi G.N. Hewajulige, Deepani U. Rajawardana, Aseni Ediriweera, Surani Ediriweera, Deepani Alawathugoda, Chaminda K. Muthumala, K.M. Wathsala Rajawatta, Chandrika Nanayakkara, EP Saman Chandana, Siril Wijesundara. Chiang Mai Journal of Science. March 2022 49(2). 
  1. Rare cause of sepsis in an immunocompromised child with Acute Lymphocytic Leukaemia – A Case Report. Thabrew H, Sigera LSM, Jayawardena MN, Galappaththi J, Egodawela P, Gunasekara SP, Gunasekera DS, Jayasekera PI. Sri Lankan Journal of Infectious Diseases 2022 Vol.12(1): E12 1-5 http://doi.org/10.4038/sljid.v12i1.8466
  1. Administration of Amphotericin B (AMB). May 2022.   PGRIS Welagedara, P.I. Jayasekera. http://dx.doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.25203.20002
  1. Disseminated Fusarium infection in an immunocompromised patient: Successful outcome with combined antifungal therapy. PGRUM Welagedara, UABP Somawardana, NP Madarasinga, MAN Manchanayaka, CN Wijesinghe, GDI. Premathilaka, PGRIS Welagedara, LSM Sigera, SP Gunasekera, PI Jayasekera. Sri Lankan Journal of Infectious Diseases 2022 Vol.12(2): E23 1-6. http://doi.org/10.4038/sljid.v12i2.8477
  2. Management and role of antifungals in Aspergilloma / fungal mycetoma. July 2022. PGRUM Welagedara, P.I. Jayasekera. http://dx.doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.28558.64323
  3. Aflatoxin – Mini review. Welagedara PGRUM, Welagedara PGRIS, Sigera LSM, Jayawardena MN, Thabrew H, Jayasekera PI. Annual Scientific Sessions of the Sri Lanka College of Microbiologists 2022 Bulletin page 68-72. (16) (PDF) Aflatoxin – Mini review (From Bulletin of Annual Academic Sessions of Sri Lanka College of Microbiologists 2022) (researchgate.net)
  1. S5.5d SARS-CoV-2 associated invasive fungal sinus infections; the Sri Lankan perspective. H Thabrew, Liyanage Shamithra Madhumali Sigera, A P Anand, R A D M Ramanayake, Munasinghe M V, W L L N Wickramasekara, P I Jayasekera. Medical Mycology, Volume 60, Issue Supplement_1, September 2022, myac072S55d, https://doi.org/10.1093/mmy/myac072.S5.5d
  1. P287 A case of cerebral aspergillosis in Sri Lanka. Isanka Welagedara, Shamithra Sigera, B. Devakanthan, Primali Jayasekera. September 2022. Medical mycology: official publication of the International Society for Human and Animal Mycology 60(Supplement_1). https://doi.org/10.1093/mmy%2Fmyac072.P287
  1. P286 Histoplasmosis in Sri Lanka. Shamithra Sigera, Primali Jayasekera, David Denning. September 2022. Medical mycology: official publication of the International Society for Human and Animal Mycology 60(Supplement_1). https://doi.org/10.1093/mmy/myac072.P286
  1. P288 Rhinocerebral mucormycosis due to Saksenaea vasiformis in a Sri Lankan patient: A rare fungal infection. Shamithra Sigera, O.K.D.S.T. Rosa, M. A. Malkanthi, C.G.U.A Patabendige, Primali Jayasekera, K.D.R.A. Kirihena. September 2022. Medical mycology: official publication of the International Society for Human and Animal Mycology 60(Supplement_1). https://doi.org/10.1093/mmy/myac072.P288
  2. Actinomortierella wolfii: Identity and pathology. L.S.M. Sigera, Sarah A. Ahmed, Abdullah M.S. Al-Hatmi, P.G.R.U.M. Welagedara, P.I. Jayasekera, and Sybren de Hoog. Med Mycol Case Rep. 2022 Nov 4;38:48-52.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mmcr.2022.10.005