Some immuno-pathological aspects in bilharzial and amoebic dysentery.

Serum immunoglobulin, secretory IgA in stools and leucocyte migration inhibition test were done for 75 patients suffering from bilharzial and amoebic dysentery as well as 20 normal controls. Sigmoidoscopic examination with immunofluorescent staining of colonic biopsy was done in patients with bilharzial dysentery. Humoral immune response increased significantly as detected by significant increase in serum IgG and IgM. Secretory IgA decreased significantly in bilharzial cases leucocyte migration inhibition test decreased significantly as well as plasma cells secreting IgA. This change in systemic and local immune response may predispose to infection or occur secondary to the disease.

Histopathological and histochemical changes in the cervix uteri under contraceptive pills.

PIP: Histopathological and histochemical changes in cervical epithelium under influence of oral contraceptives (OCs) were studied comparatively in 100 humans and 30 rabbits. The 100 patients used different types of combined OCs including Ovral, Anovlar, and Primovlar; 50 non-OC users served as controls. Cervical biopsies were obtained for study. The animal experiment consisted of 30 female rabbits divided into 3 groups: Group 1 received Lyndiol 1 for 5 days every week; Group 2 received mini-pills (ethynodiol diacetate, .25 mg) every day without interruption; Group 3 was the control. After 1 year the animals were killed and their cervixes examined. In humans, the ectocervical epithelium revealed increased vascularity and its penetration by perpendicular vascular channels reaching two-thirds of its thickness in 65% of cases. Basal cell hyperplasia was increased in 38% of patients. Vesicles between layers of squamous epithelium were observed in 26% of females receiving OCs as compared with 3% of controls. A single case of mild dysplasia was detected. Vascularity of the endocervical stroma was increased in 83% of OC users compared with 30% of controls. 79% of OC users showed endocervical glandular hyperplasia, the most prominent finding, compared with 22% of controls. Results reported for animal studies reflected those reported in human cervical smears.^ieng