Research and Publications of Department of Mycology

Ongoing Research

Antifungal sensitivity of common zygomycetes species isolated from sino-nasal
specimens in Sri Lanka 2013- 2021
Study on the Clinical outcome of patients with mycologically proven fungal keratitis who
undergo therapeutic penetrating keratoplasty in National Eye Hospital, Sri Lanka from
1.01.2023 to 31.12.2023.
Clinico epidemiological, mycological and therapeutic profile of Dermatophytosis in Sri Lanka.

Publications

Laboratory Manual in Microbiology, second edition 2011. Sri Lanka College of
Microbiologists. Co-author. LABORATORY MANUAL IN MICROBIOLOGY – SECOND
EDITION (2011) – Sri Lanka College of Microbiologists (slmicrobiology.lk)
Is fungal disease in Sri Lanka underestimated? A comparison of reported fungal
infections with estimated disease burden using global data. P.I. Jayasekera, D. Denning,
P. Perera, A. Fernando, S. Kudavidanage. Sri Lankan Journal of Infectious Diseases 2015
Vol.5 (2):73-85. http://doi.org/10.4038/sljid.v5i2.8055
Candidaemia – A review. L. S. M. Sigera, P. I. Jayasekera. Journal of Kurunegala
Clinical Society 2015. Vol. 7: 23-34. (17) (PDF) Candidaemia -A Review
(researchgate.net)
Rhinocerebral mucormycosis: a case report. G.C.S. Gunasekera, C.G.U.A. Patabendige,
P.I. Jayasekera, R.P. Dayasena. Sri Lankan Journal of Infectious Diseases 2016 Vol.6
(1):67-70. http://doi.org/10.4038/sljid.v6i1.8100
Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis Complicated with Pneumopericardium and
Pneumothorax in an Adult Patient with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia, Successfully
Treated with Amphotericin B: Case Report and a Review. Somawardana U.A.B.P., Pieris
D.C., Gunasekara S., Jayasekara P.I., Sigera L.S.M., Alagiyawanna A.M.A.L.R. Ann
Hematol Oncol – Volume 4 Issue 6 – 2017 ISSN: 2375- Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis
Complicated with Pneumopericardium and Pneumothorax in an Adult Patient with
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia, Successfully Treated with Amphotericin B: Case Report
and a Review (austinpublishinggroup.com)
Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis – A Review Article. Jayawardene M. N.,
Jayasekera P. I. The Bulletin of the Sri Lanka College of Microbiologists. Vol. 15-
2017:53-56 ISSN 1391-930x. (17) (PDF) Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis
(researchgate.net)
Conidiobolomycosis – A Review. Sigera L. S. M., Jayasekera P. I. The Bulletin of the Sri
Lanka College of Microbiologists. Vol. 15-2017:56-59 ISSN 1391-930x. (17) (PDF)
CONIDIOBOLOMYCOSIS -A REVIEW (researchgate.net)
Antifungal sensitivity profile of Fusarium spp. resulting keratitits – A preliminary study.
LSM Sigera, PI Jayasekera, ULF Shabry and MA Malkanthi. Archives of Infectious
Diseases & Therapy 2017 Sep. Volume 1: Issue 1: 1-6. (17) (PDF) Antifungal sensitivity
profile of Fusarium spp. resulting keratitits – A preliminary study (researchgate.net)
Unilateral Cervical Lymphadenopathy due to Cladosporium oxysporum: A Case Report
and Review of the Literature. R. D. Jayasinghe, W. A. M. U. L. Abeysinghe, P. I.
Jayasekara, Y. S. Mohomed, and B. S. M. S. Siriwardena. Case Reports in Pathology
2017. Volume 2017, Article ID 5036514, 4 pages. https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/5036514
Madurella grisea: a case report on an uncommon cause for mycetoma. MN Jayawardena,
NNTM Wickremasinghe, PI Jayasekera. Sri Lankan Journal of Infectious Diseases 2017.
Vol. 7(2):127-130. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/sljid.v7i2.8140
Disfiguring facial mycoses- a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Janappriya, G. H. D.
C., Gunasekera, C. N., Keragala, B. S. D. N., Dissanayake, B. S., Liyanagama, P. D.,
Shanmuhathas, V., Thanushah, B., Sigera, L. S. M. and Jayasekera, P.I. J Eur Acad
Dermatol Venereol May 2018. Volume 32, Issue 5; e167-e168.
https://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.14670
Guideline on Antimicrobial Prophylaxis and Empirical Treatment in Patients with
Primary Immune Deficiencies (Inborn Errors of Immunity). Co-author. Guideline on
Antimicrobial Prophylaxis and Empirical Treatment in Patients with Primary Immune
Deficiencies (Inborn Errors of Immunity) – Sri Lanka College of Microbiologists
(slmicrobiology.lk)
Guidelines on Microbiological Investigations, Antimicrobials, Vaccines, Infection
Prevention and Control Practices in Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Sri
Lanka by Sri Lanka College of Microbiologists 2017. Co-author. Guidelines on
Microbiological Investigations, Antimicrobials, Vaccines, Infection Prevention and
Control Practices in Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation – Sri Lanka College of
Microbiologists (slmicrobiology.lk)
Cutaneous mucormycosis caused by Saksenaea vasiformis in a patient with systemic
lupus erythematosus. Liyanage Shamithra Madhumali Sigera, Kavinga Kalhari
Kobawaka Gamage, Melani Naamal Jayawardena, Wijewickrama Punchihewage
14
Harshula Abeydeera, Matharage Ariyalatha Malkanthi, Primali Irosha Jayasekera,
Charini Geethika Upulkanthi Arukattu Patabendige, Arumabaduge Harshini Niranjali
Fernando. Clinical Case Reports 2018; 1–5. DOI: 10.1002/ccr3.1698. Cutaneous
mucormycosis caused by Saksenaea vasiformis in a patient with systemic lupus
erythematosus – Sigera – 2018 – Clinical Case Reports – Wiley Online Library
Pythiosis: A Pseudo Fungal Infection. L. S. M. Sigera, P. I. Jayasekera. The Bulletin of
the Sri Lanka College of Microbiologists. Vol. 16-2018:82-84 ISSN 1391-930x. (17)
(PDF) Pythiosis: A pseudo fungal infection (researchgate.net)
Sepsis with cerebral lupus…. or is it? A case report on cryptococcaemia. M.N
Jayawardena, S Sigera, B Rathnayake, RH Lewkebandara, L Rajakaruna, P Jayasekera.
Sri Lankan Journal of Infectious Diseases 2018 Vol.8 (2):137-141. DOI:
http://doi.org/10.4038/sljid.v8i2.8214
Candida blood stream infections in Sri Lanka: a retrospective evaluation by the National
Mycology Reference Laboratory. Jayawardena M.N., Sigera L.S.M., Thabrew H.,
Kudavidanage S., Malkanthi M.A., Perera P.D., Jayasekera P.I. Journal of Ratnapura
Clinical Society 2018. ISSN 2536-7978. (17) (PDF) Candida blood stream infections in
Sri Lanka: a retrospective evaluation by the National Mycology Reference Laboratory
(researchgate.net)
First case of dermatophytosis caused by Microsporum persicolor in Sri Lanka. L.S.M.
Sigera, U.L.F. Shabry, M.A. Malkanthi, P.I. Jayasekera. Journal of Ratnapura Clinical
Society 2018. ISSN 2536-7978. http://dx.doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.29926.1440
Retrospective analysis of specimens for fungal studies received at Department of
Mycology, Medical Research Institute, Sri Lanka. Sigera L.S.M, Jayawardenea M.N,
Kudavidanage S, Perera P.D, Ediriweera D, Malkanthi M.A., Jayasekera P.I. Journal of
Ratnapura Clinical Society 2018. ISSN 2536-7978. (17) (PDF) Retrospective analysis of
specimens for fungal studies received at Department of Mycology, Medical Research
Institute, Sri Lanka (researchgate.net)
Histoplasma capsulatum Caused a Localized Tongue Ulcer in a Non-HIV Patient—A
Case from Non endemic Country. Liyanage Shamithra Madhumali Sigera, Sumith Ruwan
Gunawardane, Matharage Ariyalatha Malkanthi, Ruwan Duminda Jayasinghe, M. A. M.
Sitheeque, Wanninayake Mudiyanselage Tilakaratne, Primali Irosha Jayasekera. Ear,
Nose & Throat Journal 2020, Vol. 99(6)379-381.
https://doi.org/10.1177/0145561319844246
Histoplasmosis in Sri Lanka – a masquerader in a strange land: A Case Report. M.N.
Jayawardena, K. Siriwardane, P. Jayasooriya, S. Sigera, P. Jayasekera. Sri Lankan
Journal of Infectious Diseases 2019 Vol.9 (2):152-155. DOI:
http://doi.org/10.4038/sljid.v9i2.8242
A neglected case of facial chromoblastomycosis caused by Rhinocladiella. T. P.
Alahakoon, C. Udagedara, L. S. M. Sigera, N. G. N. Wijayawardhane, P. Rathnayake, P.
I. Jayasekara, P. G. R. I. S. Welagedara, D. M. C. Sewwandi. Sri Lanka Journal of
Dermatology, 2019/2020, 21: 84-86. (17) (PDF) A neglected case of facial
chromoblastomycosis caused by Rhinocladiella (researchgate.net)
Novel and successful antifungal combination therapy for disfiguring facial mycoses. G.
H. D. C. Janappriya, C. N. Gunasekera, B. S. D. N. Keragala, B. S. Dissanayake, P. D.
Liyanagama, V. Shanmuhathas, B. Thanushah, L. S. M. Sigera, P. I. Jayasekera. Sri
Lanka Journal of Dermatology, 2019/2020, 21: 36-40. 2Novel and successful antifungal
combination therapy for disfiguring facial mycoses – Search (bing.com)
Cutaneous histoplasmosis mimicking leprosy – a case report. J. Prashanthi, M. N.
Mahesha, L. S. M. Sigera, S. Gunasekara, C. S. P. Soosai, P. I. Jayasekera. Sri Lanka
Journal of Dermatology, 2019/2020, 21: 76-78. (17) (PDF) Cutaneous histoplasmosis
mimicking leprosy -a case report (researchgate.net)
Candida auris: A brief review. LSM Sigera, MN Jayawardena, H Thabrew, PI
Jayasekera. Sri Lankan Journal of Infectious Diseases 2020 Vol.10 (1):2-8.
http://doi.org/10.4038/sljid.v10i1.8270
Rhinofacial Conidiobolomycosis: A Case Series and Review of the Literature. L. S. M.
Sigera, G. H. D. C. Janappriya, M. T. D. Lakshan, N. J. Pitigalage, P. I. Jayasekera, R. P.
Dayasena, C. G. U. A. Patabendige, and C. N. Gunasekera, Ear, Nose, Throat J 2021
Sep;100(5_suppl):835S-841S. Epub 2020 Mar 23 2020. doi:
10.1177/0145561319892475 Rhinofacial Conidiobolomycosis: A Case Series and
Review of the Literature – PubMed (nih.gov)
Mycetoma due to Madurella mycetomatis. L S M Sigera, K U L Narangoda, M Y
Dahanayake, U L F Shabri, M A Malkanthi, Vijani Somarathne, P I Jayasekera, H A L P
Kolambage Elsevier IDCases. 2020 May 30;21:e00857 doi:
10.1016/j.idcr.2020.e00857
Mycetoma due to Madurella mycetomatis – PubMed (nih.gov)
Disseminated histoplasmosis presenting as nonhealing skin ulcers in an
immunocompetent patient. Keragala, B.S.D.P., Gunasekera, C., Jayasekera, P., Sigera, S.,
Gamage, S., Jayawickrama, M., British Journal of Dermatology 2020 British Association
of Dermatologists (2020) 183 (Suppl. 1), pp26. (16) (PDF) Disseminated histoplasmosis
presenting as nonhealing skin ulcers in an immunocompetent patient (researchgate.net)
Fusariosis in haematological malignancy – the skin is the clue… Experiences from the
National Cancer Institute of Sri Lanka: A case report M.N. Jayawardena, S.H.C.K. De
Silva, N.P. Madarasingha, M. Somathilake, S. Wanigasooriya, P.R. Chinthamani, L.S.M.
Sigera, P.G.R.I.S. Welagedara, K.D.D.S. Wijeweera, P.G.R.U.M. Welagedara, Y.K.
Perera, N.W.E.S. Nugahapola, U.E. Rathnayake, S.P. Gunasekera, P.I. Jayasekera. Sri Lankan Journal of Infectious Diseases 2021Vol.11(1):52-57.
http://doi.org/10.4038/sljid.v11i1.8336
Exophiala jeanselmei causing subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis in a healthy adult in Sri
Lanka: A case report. P.G.R.I.S. Welagedara, L.S.M. Sigera, I.A. Liyanage, G.M.K.
Bogammana, M.M. Abeykoon, P.I. Jayasekara. Sri Lankan Journal of Infectious
Diseases 2021Vol.11(1):47-51 http://doi.org/10.4038/sljid.v11i1.8340
Pulmonary mucormycosis – diagnostic dilemma and uphill battle in treatment: A case
report on life threatening fungal infection. Sanchayan Thanancheyan, Aathavan
Muthulingam, Nisanthan Selvaratnam, LSM Sigera, Primali Irosha Jayasekera. Journal
of the Postgraduate Institute of Medicine 2021; 8(1): E130 1-9
http://doi.org/10.4038/jpgim.8303
Mucormycosis – commonly known as “Black fungus”. Primali Jayasekera. Category:
Covid19 Resources. Sri Lanka College of Microbiologists. Covid19 Resources – Sri
Lanka College of Microbiologists (slmicrobiology.lk)
Mucormycosis (Black fungus) and COVID-19: is it a deadly combination? Primali
Jayasekera. SLMA News Letter May 2021. Page 12-15. (16) (PDF) Mucormycosis (Black
fungus) and COVID-19: is it a deadly combination? (researchgate.net)
A rare case of E. coli and Rhizopus sinusitis complicated with pneumocephalus, E. coli
psoas abscess and sepsis Dulanga Rathnayake, Basith M. M, Tharmini E, Umakanth M.,
Sundaresan K T, P I Jayasekara, L S M Sigera, P G R I S Welagedara, Vaithehi Francis.
Access Microbiology, Volume 3, Issue 7. https://doi.org/10.1099/acmi.0.000243
Guideline on collection and transport of autopsy specimen of a suspected or confirmed
case of COVID 19, for fungal studies. Primali Jayasekera, Shamithra Sigera. Guidelines-
to-send-COVID-19-autospsy-specimens-for-fungal-studies.pdf (slmicrobiology.lk)
Guidelines on management of COVID-19 Associated Mucormycosis (CAM). Primali
Jayasekera, Isanka Welagedara. http://dx.doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.32885.09443
Guidelines on management of COVID-19 Associated Pulmonary Aspergillosis (CAPA).
Primali Jayasekera, Udari Welagedara. (16) (PDF) Management of COVID 19 associated
Pulmonary Aspergillosis (CAPA) (researchgate.net)
COVID 19 associated Mucormycosis – Health Education leaflet (General public /
patients) – English. Primali Jayasekera, Isanka Welagedara. (16) (PDF) COVID 19
associated Mucormycosis – Health Education leaflet (General public / patients) – English
(researchgate.net)
COVID 19 associated Mucormycosis – Health Education leaflet (General public /
patients) – Sinhalese. Primali Jayasekera, Isanka Welagedara. (16) (PDF) COVID 19
associated Mucormycosis – Health Education leaflet (General public / patients) –
Sinhalese (researchgate.net)
Antifungal Stewardship – The Way Forward – Review article. MN Jayawardena, LSM
Sigera, H Thabrew, PGRIS Welagedara, PI Jayasekara. Annual Scientific Sessions of the
Sri Lanka College of Microbiologists 2021 Bulletin page 53-56. (16) (PDF) Antifungal
Stewardship – The Way Forward – Review article (researchgate.net)
Rare things are there – An account on Histoplasmosis in Sri Lanka. PGRIS Welagedara,
LSM Sigera, PI Jayasekera. Annual Scientific Sessions of the Sri Lanka College of
Microbiologists 2021 Bulletin page 66-68. (16) (PDF) Rare Things Are There – An
Account on Histoplasmosis in Sri Lanka (researchgate.net)
Mucormycosis: A diagnostic and therapeutic challenge: A Case Report. D.
Wickramasinghe, L. D. Liyanapathirana, N. Z. Miskin, L. M. S. Sigera, P. I. Jayasekera,
R. L. P. R. Liyanage. Sri Lankan Journal of Infectious Diseases 2021, Vol 11, (2), 116-
120. http://doi.org/10.4038/sljid.v11i2.8348
Gastric blastomycosis masquerading as a malignancy in a child. S. A. Gunaratne, M. V.
C. de Silva, M. C. Samarasinghe, L. S. M. Sigera, P. I. Jayasekera, Y. Ubaithullah.
Journal of Paediatric Surgery Case Reports 76 (2022) 102113. (16) (PDF) Gastric
Basidiobolomycosis masquerading as a malignancy in a child (researchgate.net)
Characterization of Recalcitrant Dermatophytosis in a Multicenter Study in Sri Lanka.
Nayani P. Madarasingha, Surammika Eriyagama, Primali I. Jayasekera, Shreenika De
Silva, Saman Gunasekera, D. M. Munasingha, Premini Rajendran, S. M. B. Ekanayaka,
Janani Liyanange, N. Thamilvannan, Buthsiri Sumanasena, Felicia
Srisaravanabavanathan, Binari Wijenayake. Am. J. Trop. Med. Hyg., 107(1), 2022, pp.
117–121 https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.21-1022
Microbiological pattern of intertrigo. A. B. Wickramanayake, L. S. M. Sigera, P. I.
Jayasekera, Patabendige G, J. K. W. Akarawita. Sri Lankan Journal of Dermatology, Vol.
22, 2021, p 26-34. (16) (PDF) Clinical and microbiological pattern of intertrigo
(researchgate.net)
A case of subcutaneous infection caused by Basidiobolus ranarum in a child HMW
Abeywardena, SD Ekanayake, P Wijeratne, M Hettiarachchi, A Rajamanthri. SLJID 2021 Vol 11 (Supplement) S3:25 10th Annual conference and scientific sessions 2021.
http://doi.org/10.4038/sljid.v11i0.8462
DOI https://doi.org/10.12982/CMJS.2022.027
Necessity of a National Fungarium and a Culture Collection for Fungi in Sri Lanka. Nalin
N. Wijayawardene, Shalini Rajakaruna, Don-Qin Dai, Sandhya Jayasekara, Lakshan
Warnakula, Sameera Ariyawansa, Eustace Y. Fernando, Primali Jayasekera, Samantha C.
Karunarathna, Darshani Singhalage, Kanishka Ukuwela, R,G. Udeni Jayalal, R.P. Prabat
K. Jayasinghe Jayasinghe, Nalika Palihawadana, Sumedha Madawala, Ilmi G.N.
Hewajulige, Deepani U. Rajawardana, Aseni Ediriweera, Surani Ediriweera, Deepani
Alawathugoda, Chaminda K. Muthumala, K.M. Wathsala Rajawatta, Chandrika
Nanayakkara, EP Saman
Chandana, Siril Wijesundara.
Chiang Mai Journal of
Science. March 2022 49(2).
Rare cause of sepsis in an immunocompromised child with Acute Lymphocytic
Leukaemia – A Case Report. Thabrew H, Sigera LSM, Jayawardena MN, Galappaththi J,
Egodawela P, Gunasekara SP, Gunasekera DS, Jayasekera PI. Sri Lankan Journal of
Infectious Diseases 2022 Vol.12(1): E12 1-5 http://doi.org/10.4038/sljid.v12i1.8466
Administration of Amphotericin B (AMB). May 2022. PGRIS Welagedara, P.I.
Jayasekera. http://dx.doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.25203.20002
Disseminated Fusarium infection in an immunocompromised patient: Successful outcome
with combined antifungal therapy. PGRUM Welagedara, UABP Somawardana, NP
Madarasinga, MAN Manchanayaka, CN Wijesinghe, GDI. Premathilaka, PGRIS
Welagedara, LSM Sigera, SP Gunasekera, PI Jayasekera. Sri Lankan Journal of
Infectious Diseases 2022 Vol.12(2): E23 1-6. http://doi.org/10.4038/sljid.v12i2.8477
Management and role of antifungals in Aspergilloma / fungal mycetoma. July 2022.
PGRUM Welagedara, P.I. Jayasekera. http://dx.doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.28558.64323
Aflatoxin – Mini review. Welagedara PGRUM, Welagedara PGRIS, Sigera LSM,
Jayawardena MN, Thabrew H, Jayasekera PI. Annual Scientific Sessions of the Sri Lanka
College of Microbiologists 2022 Bulletin page 68-72. (16) (PDF) Aflatoxin – Mini
review (From Bulletin of Annual Academic Sessions of Sri Lanka College of
Microbiologists 2022) (researchgate.net)
S5.5d SARS-CoV-2 associated invasive fungal sinus infections; the Sri Lankan
perspective. H Thabrew, Liyanage Shamithra Madhumali Sigera, A P Anand, R A D M
Ramanayake, Munasinghe M V, W L L N Wickramasekara, P I Jayasekera. Medical
Mycology, Volume 60, Issue Supplement_1, September 2022, myac072S55d,
https://doi.org/10.1093/mmy/myac072.S5.5d
P287 A case of cerebral aspergillosis in Sri Lanka. Isanka Welagedara, Shamithra Sigera,
B. Devakanthan, Primali Jayasekera. September 2022. Medical mycology: official
publication of the International Society for Human and Animal Mycology
60(Supplement_1). https://doi.org/10.1093/mmy%2Fmyac072.P287
P286 Histoplasmosis in Sri Lanka. Shamithra Sigera, Primali Jayasekera, David Denning.
September 2022. Medical mycology: official publication of the International Society for
Human and Animal Mycology 60(Supplement_1).
https://doi.org/10.1093/mmy/myac072.P286
P288 Rhinocerebral mucormycosis due to Saksenaea vasiformis in a Sri Lankan patient:
A rare fungal infection. Shamithra Sigera, O.K.D.S.T. Rosa, M. A. Malkanthi, C.G.U.A
Patabendige, Primali Jayasekera, K.D.R.A. Kirihena. September 2022. Medical mycology: official publication of the International Society for Human and Animal
Mycology 60(Supplement_1). https://doi.org/10.1093/mmy/myac072.P288
Actinomortierella wolfii: Identity and pathology. L.S.M. Sigera, Sarah A.
Ahmed, Abdullah M.S. Al-Hatmi, P.G.R.U.M. Welagedara, P.I. Jayasekera, and Sybren
de Hoog. Med Mycol Case Rep. 2022 Nov 4;38:48-52.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mmcr.2022.10.005

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