The Department has been conducting research from the founder’s era and has developed into one of the major centers in the country which conducts studies on Parasitology. The department is highly appreciated both nationally and internationally for its contribution. With the availability of newer laboratory facilities such as molecular diagnostics and cell culture, the scope has widened in the field of research during the last decade. Being one of the few centers in the country which has such advanced facilities and technical support, the department provides an invaluable opportunity to researchers who are interested in Parasitology.

From the onset department personnel were engaged in field research. The studies conducted in the initial era were to gather information on epidemiology and aeitiology (species identification) within the country. With time, the diagnostic tests and facilities got the main focus of researchers and as a result more sensitive, more specific and cost effective tests have been developed.

Currently the department provides laboratory facilities for both Undergraduates (Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences…etc) and Postgraduates. Also it provides Laboratory assistance to Clinicians in their clinical research.

Ongoing….

• Toxoplasmosis in pregnancy – molecular and serological diagnosis
• Occular Toxoplasmosis – molecular and serological diagnosis
• Validation of a Toxoplasma ES antigen Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (TES-ELISA)
• Prevalence of cryptosporidiosis and characterization of Cryptosporidium species among patients with diarrhea in paediatric population.
• Cutaneous Leishmanisis in Sri Lanka – Type of immune response to disease and the place of Leishmania skin test (LST) in diagnosis.
• Molecular diagnosis of Pneumocystis jiroveci in HIV+ves and other immunocompromised patients
• Prevalence of intestinal parasitic infestations among paediatric population in estate sector and the association with malnourishment.

Undergraduates and postgraduates who are interested in conducting research in parasitology related topics are welcome to discuss their ideas with our academic staff members.