The use of immunoblot analysis in the diagnosis of canine visceral leishmaniasis in an endemic area of Rio de Janeiro.

In this article, we describe the findings obtained using immunoblot analysis in the diagnosis of canine visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and its correlation with serological titer and clinical status. We found that all animals bearing amastigote forms recognized antigens with 29 and 32 kDa and that this pattern can be exploited for diagnostic and epidemiological purposes. The recognition of the 29- and 32-kDa antigens was verified even in seronegative dogs and preceded seroconversion in periods ranging from several months to 2 yr. We found a correlation between serological titer and parasite burden. Although no correlation between antigenic recognition pattern and clinical status was observed, immunoblot analysis proved to be a reliable test to detect antibodies against Leishmania sp. antigens in dogs from areas with endemic VL.

Assessment of luteal function after surgical tubal sterilization.

To evaluate ovarian luteal function after tubal occlusion, a group of women who underwent Pomeroy sterilization were studied. A prospective group I (n = 16) were followed for one year and scheduled for blood sampling every other day during their luteal phase before surgical procedure and at 3 and 12 months thereafter. Group II (n = 15) included women who were studied during their luteal phase at 1 or 5 years post-surgery. Mid-luteal progesterone and estradiol serum levels were calculated by estimating the average of at least 3 values of serum samples obtained in days 20-25 of a menstrual cycle. The data suggest that no major changes occur in ovarian function after surgical tubal occlusion, as assessed by the mid-luteal hormone serum levels, and underscore the safety of this procedure.

Estrogen-progestogen once-a-month injectable contraceptives and serum prolactin.

To assess the effect of hormonal monthly injectable contraceptives upon the serum values of immunoreactive prolactin (Prl), three groups of women of reproductive age exposed to different estrogen-progestogen injectable formulation for a minimum of one year were studied. The first group (n = 10) received dihydroxyprogesterone acetophenide 150 mg and estradiol enanthate 10 mg (DHPA/E2-EN), Group 2 (n = 21) received medroxyprogesterone acetate 25 mg and estradiol cypionate 5 mg (MPA/E2-C) and Group 3 (n = 19) was exposed to norethisterone enanthate 50 mg and estradiol valerate 5 mg (NET-EN/E2-V). A group of IUD users (n = 16) served as the control group. Serum Prl and 17 beta-estradiol (E2) concentration were determined in blood samples (0 and 15 min.) on days 0 (day of last injection), 10, 20 and 30 after last contraceptive injection. The results demonstrated a slight though not significant increase (p greater than 0.05) in serum Prl in the three experimental groups as compared with the IUD control group. This increase in Prl levels observed on day 10 post-last injection never exceeded the upper limits of the normal range (20 ng/ml). Overall, the data demonstrated that the chronic administration of these estrogen/progestogen once-a-month injectable contraceptives does not affect the Prl baseline secretion in women.