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Antibiotic resistance is an emerging global public health threat. One of the main drivers of this threat is the inappropriate use of antibiotics. In Sri Lanka, antibiotic consumption is increasing, but little is known locally about how patients perceive antibiotics. We conducted a qualitative study to gain a better understanding of the knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes of patients regarding antibiotics and antibiotic resistance. Semi-structured interviews involving 18 patients with lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) admitted to a large, public tertiary care hospital in southern Sri Lanka were conducted. Interviews were analyzed to identify themes regarding the patients’ knowledge of LRTI etiology and treatment, perceptions and attitudes toward LRTI treatment, including antibiotics, and patient–physician communication. Most patients mentioned multiple care visits and the use of multiple pharmaceuticals prior to admission. Patients sought a quick resolution to their ailments and frequently visited several private physicians to obtain a satisfying answer. Self-medication was also common. Patients reused prescriptions for antibiotics, kept antibiotics for later use after prematurely stopping their course of treatment, and bought over-the-counter antibiotics. Patients’ knowledge of disease etiology and antibiotics was poor. Only a few patients were aware of antibiotic resistance. Despite the desire to receive more information regarding disease and treatment, patient–provider communication was limited and mainly confined to prescription instructions. This qualitative study performed in Sri Lanka suggests that inappropriate use of antibiotics is a multifactorial problem. To improve antibiotic use, a multifactorial approach that includes educating the public, increasing awareness among physicians, and implementing systems-level changes to restrict access to antibiotics is urgently needed.

Influenza causes an estimated 3 to 5 million cases of severe illness annually, along with substantial morbidity and mortality, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Currently, Sri Lanka has no influenza vaccination policies and does not offer vaccination within the public healthcare sector. Therefore, we performed a cost-effectiveness analysis of influenza vaccine implementation for the Sri Lankan population. We designed a static Markov model that followed a population cohort of Sri Lankans in three age groups, 0–4, 5–64, and 65+ years, through two potential scenarios: trivalent inactivated vaccination (TIV) and no TIV across twelve-monthly cycles using a governmental perspective at the national level. We also performed probabilistic and one-way sensitivity analyses to identify influential variables and account for uncertainty. The vaccination model arm reduced influenza outcomes by 20,710 cases, 438 hospitalizations, and 20 deaths compared to no vaccination in one year. Universal vaccination became cost-effective at approximately 98.01% of Sri Lanka’s 2022 GDP per capita (incremental cost-effectiveness ratio = 874,890.55 Rs/DALY averted; 3624.84 USD/DALY averted). Results were most sensitive to the vaccine coverage in the 5–64-year-old age group, the cost of the influenza vaccine dose in the 5–64-years-old age group, vaccine effectiveness in the under-5-years-old age group, and the vaccine coverage in the under-5-years-old age group. No value for a variable within our estimated ranges resulted in ICERs above Rs. 1,300,000 (USD 5386.15) per DALY adverted. Providing influenza vaccines was considered highly cost-effective compared to no vaccines. However, large-scale national studies with improved data are needed to better inform estimates and determine the impact of vaccination implementation.

Background Inappropriate antibiotic use is linked to the spread of antimicrobial resistance worldwide, but there are limited systemic data on antibiotic utilization in low- and middle-income countries. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and patterns of antibiotic prescription in an ambulatory care setting in Sri Lanka. Methods This cross-sectional survey was conducted at the Outpatient Department of a public tertiary medical center in Southern Province, Sri Lanka from February to April 2019. Among consecutive outpatients presenting for care, questionnaires were verbally administered to a systematic random sample to capture information about patient demographics, illness characteristics, and visit outcomes. Prescription data were obtained from the outpatient pharmacy’s electronic prescribing system. Results Of 409 surveyed patients, 146 (35.7%) were prescribed an antibiotic. The most frequently prescribed agents were amoxicillin (41 patients, 28.1% of antibiotic recipients) and first-generation cephalosporins (38, 26.0%). Respiratory indications were the most common reason for antibiotic use, comprising 69 (47.3%) of all antibiotic prescriptions. Antibiotics were prescribed for 66.1% of patients presenting with cough and 78.8% of those presenting with rhinorrhea or nasal congestion. Among all antibiotic recipients, 6 (4.1%) underwent diagnostic studies. Conclusions A high prevalence of antibiotic prescription was observed, in particular for treatment of respiratory conditions. These data support the need for improved antimicrobial stewardship in the Sri Lankan outpatient setting.

Additional file 1: Supplementary file 1. OPD pre- and post-visit questionnaires. English version pre- and post-visit study questionnaires.

Traditional folk medicine in Sri Lanka is mostly based on plants and plant-derived products, however, many of these medicinal plant species are scientifically unexplored. Here, we evaluated the anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial potency of 28 different extracts prepared from seven popular medicinal plant species employed in Sri Lanka. The extracts were subjected to cell-based and cell-free assays of 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO), microsomal prostaglandin E2 synthase (mPGES)-1, and nitric oxide (NO) scavenging activity. Moreover, antibacterial and disinfectant activities were assessed. Characterization of secondary metabolites was achieved by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometric (GC-MS) analysis. n-Hexane- and dichloromethane-based extracts of Garcinia cambogia efficiently suppressed 5-LO activity in human neutrophils (IC50 = 0.92 and 1.39 &micro, g/mL), and potently inhibited isolated human 5-LO (IC50 = 0.15 and 0.16 &micro, g/mL) and mPGES-1 (IC50 = 0.29 and 0.49 &micro, g/mL). Lipophilic extracts of Pothos scandens displayed potent inhibition of mPGES-1 only. A methanolic extract of Ophiorrhiza mungos caused significant NO scavenging activity. The lipophilic extracts of G. cambogia exhibited prominent antibacterial and disinfectant activities, and GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of fatty acids, sesquiterpenes and other types of secondary metabolites. Together, our results suggest the prospective utilization of G. cambogia as disinfective agent with potent anti-inflammatory properties.

A point-prevalence study of antimicrobial use among inpatients at 5 public hospitals in Sri Lanka revealed that 54.6% were receiving antimicrobials: 43.1% in medical wards, 68.0% in surgical wards, and 97.6% in intensive care wards. Amoxicillin-clavulanate was most commonly used for major indications. Among patients receiving antimicrobials, 31.0% received potentially inappropriate therapy.

ObjectivesTo determine aetiology of illness among children and adults presenting during outbreak of severe respiratory illness in Southern Province, Sri Lanka, in 2018.DesignProspective, cross-sectional study.Setting1600-bed, public, tertiary care hospital in Southern Province, Sri Lanka.Participants410 consecutive patients, including 371 children and 39 adults, who were admitted with suspected viral pneumonia (passive surveillance) or who met case definition for acute respiratory illness (active surveillance) in May to June 2018.ResultsWe found that cocirculation of influenza A (22.6% of cases), respiratory syncytial virus (27.8%) and adenovirus (AdV) (30.7%; type B3) was responsible for the outbreak. Mortality was noted in 4.5% of paediatric cases identified during active surveillance. Virus type and viral coinfection were not significantly associated with mortality.ConclusionsThis is the first report of intense cocirculation of multiple respiratory viruses as a cause of an outbreak of severe acute respiratory illness in Sri Lanka, and the first time that AdV has been documented as a cause of a respiratory outbreak in the country. Our results emphasise the need for continued vigilance in surveying for known and emerging respiratory viruses in the tropics.

Ethnopharmacological relevance Leucas zeylanica (L.) W.T. Aiton is a popular, multi-purpose medicinal plant in Sri Lanka but the pharmacological potential and the chemical profile have not been systematically investigated to understand and rationalize the reported ethnobotanical significance. Aim of the study The present study was undertaken to scientifically validate the traditional usage of this plant for the treatment of inflammatory conditions, gout and microbial infections. Inhibition of 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO), microsomal prostaglandin E2 synthase (mPGES)−1 and xanthine oxidase (XO) by different extracts of L. zeylanica was investigated to determine the anti-inflammatory and anti-gout activity, respectively. The antibacterial and antifungal activities were also studied and the relevant constituents in the bioactive extracts were tentatively identified. Materials and methods Cell-free and/or cell-based assays were employed in order to investigate the effects of the extracts against the activity of human 5-LO, mPGES-1 and XO as well as to assess antioxidant properties. The antibacterial activity of the extracts was determined by the broth micro-dilution method against Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus while the agar dilution method was employed to determine the anti-Candida activity. Gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometric (GC-MS) analysis enabled the characterization of secondary metabolites in the extracts. Results The dichloromethane extract of L. zeylanica efficiently inhibited 5-LO activity in stimulated human neutrophils (IC50 = 5.5 µg/mL) and isolated human 5-LO and mPGES-1 (IC50 = 2.2 and 0.4 µg/mL). Potent inhibition of XO was observed by the same extract (IC50 = 47.5 μg/mL), which is the first report of XO-inhibitory activity of a Sri Lankan medicinal plant. Interestingly, significant radical scavenging activity was not observed by this extract. Only the n-hexane extract exhibited antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus saprophyticus with a MIC of 250 µg/mL while the anti-Candida activity was moderate. GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of phytosterols, fatty acids, sesquiterpenes, diterpenes and several other types of secondary metabolites. Conclusions Potent inhibition of 5-LO, mPGES-1 and XO rationalizes the ethnopharmacological use of L. zeylanica as anti-inflammatory and anti-gout remedy. Interestingly, the antimicrobial activities were not prominent, despite its wide utility as an antimicrobial medication.

Background Skin and soft-tissue infections (SSTI) are a common reason for antimicrobial use in the outpatient and inpatient settings. Inappropriate antimicrobial use for SSTI is common. We determined the prevalence of SSTI and associated inappropriate antimicrobial use among inpatients in Sri Lanka. Methods A point-prevalence study of antimicrobial use was conducted using one-day cross-sectional surveys at five public hospitals in Southern Province, Sri Lanka from Jun-August 2017. Inpatients’ medical records were reviewed for clinical data including antimicrobials prescribed. Inappropriate antimicrobial use was identified as (1) antimicrobial use discordant with guidelines by the Sri Lanka College of Microbiologists (SLCM), and (2) redundant combinations of antimicrobials. Results Of 1,709 surveyed patients, 935 (54.7%) received antimicrobials, of whom 779 (83.3%) had a specified or inferred indication for antimicrobial use. Among patients with an indication for antimicrobial use, SSTI was the second leading indication (181 patients, 23.2%) after lower respiratory tract infection (194, 24.9%). One-third (62, 34.2%) of patients with SSTI had a history of diabetes. Commonly used antimicrobials for SSTI included amoxicillin and clavulanic acid (40.3%), extended-spectrum penicillins (24.9%), and metronidazole (22.1%). inappropriate antimicrobial use was observed in 53.0% of SSTI patients, with redundant antibiotic therapy in 35.9% and antimicrobials discordant with SLCM guidelines in 32.6%. Conclusion SSTI was a common reason for antimicrobial use among inpatients in Sri Lanka, with more than half of patients receiving potentially inappropriate antimicrobial therapy. We identified targets for future antimicrobial stewardship efforts. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

Background The global emergence of antimicrobial resistance poses a major public health threat. However, there are little data regarding antimicrobial use from many low- or middle-income countries. In this study, we determined the prevalence and patterns of antibiotic prescription among outpatients at a tertiary healthcare facility in Sri Lanka. Methods The study was conducted at the Outpatient Department (OPD) of the largest public tertiary care center in Southern Province, Sri Lanka. This is a free walk-in clinic serving upwards of 1,000 patients per day. Adult and pediatric OPD patients were recruited for a cross-sectional survey in February–April 2019. Pre-visit and post-visit questionnaires were verbally administered to obtain information regarding participants’ demographics and presenting illness. The OPD pharmacy’s electronic prescribing system was queried to calculate the prevalence of antibiotic prescriptions among enrolled patients. Logistic regression was performed to identify features associated with antibiotic prescription. Results Of 408 patients surveyed, 246 (62.9%) were female and 88 (21.7%) were children Conclusion We show a high prevalence of outpatient antibiotic prescription despite limited diagnostic evaluation at a tertiary medical facility in Southern Province, Sri Lanka. Antibiotic stewardship efforts, especially targeting respiratory illness, may help improve antibiotic use in this setting. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.