Deparment of Microbiology
Introduction
The Department teaches, undergraduate students, microbiology in a range of degree programs. The highest teaching load is for the MBBS students in the 3rd year and 4th year. Further students of B.Sc Nursing, Human Biology, Pharmacy and Medical Laboratory Science are also taught Microbiology at different levels of their degree programme.
The department is localized in the new building and has fully equipped laboratories for Bacteriology, Virology, Mycology, Molecular biology and Serology.
Courses Involved
Undergraduate:
- MBBS
- B. Sc (special) in Human Biology
- B. Sc in Nursing
- B. Sc in Pharmacy
- B. Sc in Medical Laboratory Sciences
Services and Facilities
Students’ laboratory
The microbiology student laboratory is shared with Parasitology and can accommodate 80 students.It is fully equipped with microscopes and a CCTV system.
Seminar room
The Department has an air conditioned seminar room which can accommodate 50 students. The seminar room has a CCTV system and multimedia. This is room is utilized for microbiology teaching for undergraduates and by other Departments for their teaching activities.
Research activities
The Department has laboratories with facilities for research in Bacteriology, Mycology, Virology and Molecular biology.
Diagnostic Services
The Department offers services in Bacteriology, Virology, Serology, and Molecular Biology to the Family Practice Centre and the professorial unit of the Colombo South Teaching Hospital. Facilities are available to carry out culture and ABST in Bacteriology, culture in Mycology, Serology and Molecular Biology tests.
Department Staff
Academic Staff
| Prof. Sirimali Fernando MBBS, Dip (Micro), M.Sc. (Lond) | Professor of Microbiology |  |
| Prof. Neluka Fernando MBBS, Dip. Micro (Col), PhD (Lon) | Head of the Department/ Professor in Microbiology |  |
| Dr. Neelika Malavige MBBS, MRCP (UK), DPhil (Oxon) | Senior Lecturer |  |
| Dr. H.A.K.M. Gunasekara MBBS, M. Phil (Col) | Senior Lecturer |  |
| Ms. Manjula Weerasekara B.Sc., M. Phil | Senior Lecturer |  |
| Dr. G.I.D.D.A.D. Athukorala MBBS, Dip. Micro (Col), MD (Col) | Lecturer |  |
| Dr. D.M.B.T. Disanayake MBBS, Dip. Micro (Col) | Lecturer |  |
| Dr. Janani Kotahachchi MBBS | Lecturer |  |
| Ms. Chinthika Gunasekara B.Sc., M.Sc. | Lecturer |  |
Lecturers on leave
- Prof. Sirimali Fernando
- Ms. Chinthika Gunasekara
- Dr. Janani Kotahachchi
Non-Academic Staff
| Mrs. M.K. Peellawattage | Senior Technical Officer | |
| Mrs. D.F.D. Meedin | Technical Officer | |
| Mrs. L.B.A.E. Bogahawatta | Technical Officer | |
| Mrs. L.D Guruge | Technical Officer | |
| Mr. D.J. Naulla | Technical Officer | |
| Mr. M.H.R. Mahendra | Technical Officer | |
| Mr. S.I.W. Arunasiri | Computer Application Assistant |  |
| Mrs. D.S. Pushpakumari | Typist | |
| Mr. Malaka Dushantha | Technical Officer | |
| Mr. K.G.A. Kapuwella | Lab Attendant | |
| Mr. V.P.P. Vasantha | Lab Attendant | |
| Mr. H.A.D.N. Hettiarachchi | Lab Attendant | |
| Mr. S.J.A. Dias | Labourer | |
| Mr. N.K. Lalith Kumara | Labourer |
Research
Ongoing Research
Investigation of immune responses to the dengue virus
Dengue viral infectious cause a significant mortality and morbidity in Sri Lanka and is the number one killer mosquito disease in the world. Although infection with the dengue virus results in asymptomatic or mild disease in most individuals, it can cause dengue haemorrhagic fever which can lead to shock in death in some individuals.
We are currently investigating the immunological mechanisms that lead to severe dengue infections and those that result in a protective immunity. Hopefully data gathered from our studies would help us to understand the pathogenesis in dengue infections and would lead towards vaccine development.
Investigating the role of Staphylococcus aureus in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic relapsing, itchy, inflammatory condition of the skin usually associated with personal or family history of other atopic diseases, including asthma and allergic rhinitis. The bacterial skin flora of patients with AD is strikingly different from that in healthy people in terms of the presence of Staphylococcus aureus (SA). Colonization with SA is seen in more than 90% of patients with AD. Once colonized, SA and its products, particularly superantigenic toxins, provide signals that result in sensitization and inflammation thus aggravating the condition in multiple pathways.
The current research investigates the SA colonization and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns and the association of staphylococcal enterotoxins and toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 with disease severity of AD.
Study regarding Varicella zoster virus
The Department of Microbiology has several collaborative research projects with the Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine at University of Oxford which is aimed at studying immune responses to several important infectious diseases in Sri Lanka.
Firstly, the main aim of the research project on the investigation of T cell responses to the Varicella zoster virus (VZV) is to define the interactions of the virus and immune system in primary VZV infection. This has already generated some interesting data on T cell and virus interaction and we now hope to expand these findings in longitudinal studies also and study the role of natural killer cells and natural killer T cells in primary Varicella infection in more details.
Study regarding Helicobacter pylori
The department has been involved in many aspects of research on Helicobacter pylori including molecular diagnosis. Currently the department has focused the interest on association of betel chewing and Helicobacter pylori. It is also involved in studying bactericidal properties of spices on Helicobacter pylori.
Epidemiology and Diagnosis of Clostridium difficile antibiotic associated diarrhoea in a tertiary care hospital of Sri Lanka.
Clostridium difficile associated diarrhoea (CDAD) is the most common cause of infectious diarrhea in hospitalized patients, with associated morbidity, increased length of stay and increased medical costs. Clostridium difficile associated diarrhoea is not diagnosed in Sri Lanka at present. Therefore the extent of its prevalence, epidemiological pattern and complications are not known and the affected patients are grossly under treated. As CDAD is not diagnosed, no preventive measures are taken to curtail the infection spreading in hospitals mainly among the geriatric patients. There is also severe deficiency of research done into CDAD in Sri Lanka. Therefore we propose this research to study the Epidemiology and Diagnosis of Clostridium difficile antibiotic associated diarrhoea in a tertiary care hospital of Sri Lanka. This study will offer reliable diagnostic tool to the clinician which will assist in decision regarding management of CDAD and control of the spread of disease in health care institutions. This would invariably contribute for the reduction of morbidity and mortality associated with CDAD and also reduces the health care cost.
This is a collaborative study done by the Colombo south Teaching Hospital and the University of Sri Jayewardenepura. We will detect the presence of Clostridium difficile toxin A and B in suspected patients feacal specimens by an enzyme linked immuno sorbant assay.
Contact Details
Telephone: +94112802026
email: fernando_neluka@yahoo.com