Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) caused by Leishmania donovani is an endemic vector-borne disease in Sri Lanka. Over 2,500 cases have been reported since 2000 and the number of CL cases has dramatically increased annually. Total 57 clinically suspected CL patients attending the dermatology clinic in Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital were recruited from January to June 2015. Slit skin smears and skin biopsies were taken from each of the subjects. Clinical and epidemiological data were obtained using interviewer administered questionnaire. Forty-three (75.4%) patients among 57 were confirmed positive for L. donovani. The majority of infected patients was males (P=0.005), and the most affected age group was 21–40 years. Soldiers in security forces, farmers, and housewives were identified as high risk groups. The presence of scrub jungles around the residence or places of occupation (P=0.003), the presence of sandflies (P=0.021), and working outsides more than 6 hr per day (P=0.001) were significantly associated with CL. The number of lesions ranged from 1–3, and the majority (76%) of the patients had a single lesion. Upper and lower extremities were the prominent places of lesions, while the wet type of lesions were more prevalent in females (P=0.022). A nodular-ulcerative type lesion was common in both sexes. The presence of sandflies, scrub jungles, and outdoor activities contributed to spread of Leishmania parasites in an endemic pattern. Implementation of vector control programs together with health education with regard to transmission and prevention of CL are necessary to control the spread of this infection.
Biopsy ; Dermatology ; Farmers ; Female ; Health Education ; Hospitals, Teaching* ; Humans ; Leishmania ; Leishmania donovani ; Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous* ; Lower Extremity ; Male ; Military Personnel ; Occupations ; Parasites ; Psychodidae ; Skin ; Sri Lanka*

Introduction: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is one of the common global health burdens. Measurement of blood glucose level is invasive and can cause many complications. Salivary glucose has been suggested as a suitable alternative for blood in recent years. The aim of this study was to establish the correlation between blood glucose level and salivary glucose level of type 2 diabetic mellitus patients. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted at a diabetic clinic in a teaching hospital in Sri Lanka. Blood samples were collected to analyze fasting blood glucose and HbA1c levels. Unstimulated whole saliva samples were collected to measure salivary glucose level and salivary flow rate. Pearson’s correlation was applied to determine the association between salivary glucose, blood glucose and HbA1c levels. Results: A total of 120 type 2 diabetes mellitus patients and 31 healthy controls were participated. Salivary glucose level was significantly higher in DM patients than healthy individuals. Fasting blood glucose level was significantly correlated with salivary glucose levels among DM patients (r = 0.201, p = 0.027). A significant relationship was also observed between HbA1c and salivary glucose levels among DM patients (r = 0.288, p = 0.031). Conclusion: Measuring salivary glucose levels may have potential to be used as an alternative non-invasive procedure to screen, diagnose and monitor the glycemic conditions of the DM patients.