University of Peradeniya

About: University of Peradeniya is a education organization based out in Kandy, Sri Lanka. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Poison control. The organization has 5970 authors who have published 7388 publications receiving 197002 citations.

Candida-bacteria interactions: Their impact on human disease

Abstract: Candida species are the most common commensal fungus that coexists with hundreds of species of bacteria in the human body. Between 24 and 70% of humans harbor Candida species in various body niches, including the oral and vaginal mucosa and the skin ( 1 ). Out of over 150 Candida species, Candida albicans is the principal pathogenic species that causes infections, especially in patient populations with immune dysfunction due to HIV infection, malignancy, immunosuppressive therapy, and organ transplantation. Therefore, these opportunistic infections of Candida in topical or systemic forms have become widespread and account for 8 to 10% of bloodstream infections in hospitals ( 2 ). Nearly 70% of denture wearers experience denture stomatitis, or inflammation of oral mucosa covered by denture prostheses, with C. albicans being a primary etiological factor ( 3 , 4 ). Almost 75% of the female population has experienced an episode of vulvovaginal candidiasis at least once in their lifetime, and many have recurring episodes ( 5 ). In many of these conditions, there is a phenotypic change for Candida from harmless commensal to invasive pathogen. Adhesion to various surfaces, morphogenesis, phenotypic and genotypic switching, and production of lytic enzymes are major virulence mechanisms facilitating this conversion ( 6 ). However, properties of the host are also commiserate in enabling Candida to act as an invasive pathogen since compromise in the interleukin-17 (IL-17)/Th17 arm of the host immune response (e.g., AIDS, Job’s syndrome, etc.) or an imbalance in the host microbiome ( 7 ) both can contribute to candidiasis ( 7 ). During this shift, commensal or transient organisms living with Candida species in various locations may play diverse roles in the process of pathogenesis; environmental bacteria may also be introduced via catheters, cannulae, and prosthetic appliances and interact with the already present Candida. Such interactions may be detrimental to the health of the human host, leading to mortality.

Participatory Model of Mental Health Programming: Lessons Learned from Work in a Developing Country

Abstract: Participatory action research provides a framework for conceptualizing the development of mental health programs in schools and communities. A participatory intervention model is best characterized...

Biological activity of some coumarins from Sri Lankan Rutaceae.

Abstract: Twelve coumarins isolated from plants of the Rutaceae collected in Sri Lanka have been subjected to a mechanism-based anticancer bioassay employing DNA repair-deficient and repair-proficient yeasts. Of these, seselin [10] and xanthyletin [11] were found to be active. Seselin also exhibited moderate cytotoxicity.