National Point-Prevalence Survey of Antimicrobial Use in Public Hospitals in Sri Lanka(NPPS)

A new collaborative study which investigates to identify the point prevelance of antibiotic use among patients hospitalized. This research study being conducted in 18 hospitals across six provinces in Sri Lanka. Southern Province- DGH Hambanthota, BH Tangalle, Divisional Hospital Nakulugamuwa, Western Province- National Hospital Sri Lanka, BH Homagama, Divisional Hospital Thalangama, Northern Province- Teaching Hospital Jaffna, BH Kayts, Divisional Hospital Kopay, Central Province- National Hospital Kandy, BH Gampola, Divisional Hospital Katugasthota, North Central Province- TH Anuradhapura, BH Thambuththegama, Divisional Hospital Thalawa, Eastern Province- TH Batticaloa, BH Kattankudy, Divisional Hospital Arayampathy. The project funded by Duke Global Health Institute DGHI) under the DGHI piolet grant fund. Principal Investigator- Prof. Gayani Tillekeratne (Associated professor in medicine, Duke University, USA) and Co- Principal Investigators are Prof. Ajith Nagahawatte, Dr. Subodha Wickramasinghe (University of Ruhuna)

“One Health” approach the epidemiology of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus isolated from humans, animals, and animal products in southern Sri Lanka”: 

This PhD research project is designed to describe the prevalence, transmission and zoonotic threat of MRSA isolates from humans, animals and animal products in Southern, Sri Lanka. Funding through the National Research Council Sri Lanka. Sample and data collection commenced in August 2019. ( PI- Prof. Ajith Nagahawatte; Co-Investigators – Dr. W. M. D. Gaya Bandara Wijayaratne, Prof. Champica K. Bodinayake, Dr. Gayani Tillekeratne, Prof. Christopher W. Woods, Prof. Truls Ostbye, Dr. Dharshan de Silva) Sample testing, data analysis and publications are still in progress.

TREATment of Lower Respiratory Tract Infection in Sri Lanka (TREAT-SL)

A stepped-wedge cluster randomized trial of an electronic clinical decision support tool (eCDST) for the diagnosis and treatment of lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) in southern Sri Lanka. A collaboration between Duke University, US and University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka. Principal Investigators of the study are: Prof. Gayani Tillekeratne, MD MSc Duke University, Dr. Warsha De Zoysa, MBBS MD Faculty of Medicine, University of Ruhuna, Co-Investigators of the study are: Prof. Champica Bodinayake, MBBS MD Faculty of Medicine, University of Ruhuna, Prof. Gaya Wijayaratne, MBBS MD Faculty of Medicine, University of Ruhuna, Prof. Christopher Woods, MD MPH Duke University School of Medicine, Prof. Ajith Nagahawatte, Dr. Dammika Palangasinghe, Dr. Nayani Weerasinghe, Dr. Ruvini Kurukulasooriya, Prof. Susanna Naggie, MD MHS Duke University School of Medicine, Dr. Hrishikesh Chakraborty, Mr. Obale Obale, Dr. Bhagya Senadeera, Ms. Madureka Premamali, Ms. Jayani Gamage. Commenced in October 2023. Data collection and sample collection are still in progress.

Breaking bad news in inpatient setting: A qualitative study on delivering a new cancer diagnosis to patients in Southern Sri Lanka

This study is an important part of the human aspect of patient care and communication. Data collection were concluded on August 2023. Data analysis and publications are still in progress. The principal investigators of the study are Prof. Champika Bodinayake(Professor, Department of medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ruhuna.)Co-investigators are Prof. Gayani Tillekaratne (Assistant professor, Department of Medicine and Global Health, Duke University, School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA), Dr. Sahabandu S.C., Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, 25 Kynsey road, Colombo 00800, Sri Lanka.)Commenced in March 2023.

Determination of biomarkers of disease severity in Covid-19 patients and rates of dengue false-positive diagnosis

At the Teaching Hospital-Karapitiya.This study mainly aims to identify biomarkers of severe COVID-19 and to determine the prevalence of dengue false-positive IgM in COVID-19 patients. The principal investigators of the study are Prof. Gaya Wijayaratne (professor in Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ruhuna), Dr. Gayani Tillekeratne (Associated professor in Medicine, Duke University, USA), Prof. Ashley Lauren St. John (Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore) Co-investigators of the study: Prof. Ajith Nagahawatte, Prof. Champika Bodinayake (Faculty of Medicine, University of Ruhuna)

Respiratory Infection Severity and Etiology in Sri Lanka

The Epidemiology, Diagnosis, and Severity of Lower Respiratory Tract Infections(RISE)”. This research has been funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), USA and aims to describe the etiology and severity of Lower Respiratory Tract Infections (LRTIs) among children and adults admitted with acute respiratory symptoms to Teaching Hospital Karapitiya. Data and Sample collection were commenced on April 2018. Sample testing, data analysis and publications are still in progress. (PIs – Dr. Gayani Tillekeratne. Co – investigators: prof. Ajith Nagahawatte, Prof. Champica K. Bodinayake, Prof. Vasantha Devasiri, Dr. Gaya Wijayaratne, Chris Woods, Prof. Truls Ostbye, Dr. Bradly Nicholson, Dr. Sky Vanderburg , Dr. Iroshani Kodikara, Dr. Bhagya Piyasiri, Dr. Muhunthan Selluthurai, Dr. Lakmal Fonseka, Ms. Ruvini Kurukulasooriya, and Dr. Larry Park and Dr.D.T.K. Gamage

“Clinical Predictors and Surveillance of Severe Dengue in Southern Province, Sri Lanka”

Funding through the National Science Foundation, Colombo (Total: 8.4 Million Rupees). This study is designed to develop a comprehensive dengue surveillance system that detects dengue hemorrhagic fever/ dengue shock syndrome (DHF/DSS) in the Southern Province of Sri Lanka. Data collection started in March 2017. Sample testing, data analysis and publications are still in progress. (PIs – Prof. Ajith Nagahawatte, Prof. Champica Bodinayake, Co-Investigators: W. M. D.Gaya Bandara Wijayaratne, Dr. Nayani Weerasinghe, Prof. Vasantha Devasiri, Dr. Harshani Ubesekara, Prof. Christopher W. Woods, Dr. Gayani Tillekeratne, Prof. Truls Ostbye, Dr. Bradly Nicholson, Ms.Ruvini Kurukulasooriya, Dr. Dharshan de Silva, Dr.N.J. Dahanayake, Dr.C.L. Fonseka).