Forty five women, with exclusive breastfeeding were studied, (the objective was) to explore the relationship between: basal plasma prolactin (PRL) levels and post-suckling with the duration of ...postpartum amenorrhea. Blood samples for measurements of PRL were taken at the third month postpartum, before an episode of suckling and 30 minutes after the suckling was initiated. The average level of basal PRL was 1,033 +/- 113 mIU/L (mean +/- SE). Women who presented long periods of amenorrhea, had an increase of the basal PRL in 632 mIU/L (X), compare to those women who had their menses before 180 days postpartum (p = 0.036) women with longer amenorrhea (p = 0.06). However there were no relationship between the menses at the sixth month postpartum and the increase of post-suckling PRL (delta PRL). In this study it was found that the levels of basal PRL had correlation with the duration of the amenorrhea, in women with exclusive breastfeeding.
P carinii is an opportunistic pathogenic agent able to produce severe infection that must be diagnosed promptly. We analyzed 138 samples from 100 patients suspected of having infection by P carinii. ...The ortho-toluidine blue and the methenamine stains were used to analyze the samples. Infection was demonstrated in 18 patients, 13 adults and 5 children. Underlying disease was AIDS in 7 and other immunosuppressive disorders in the rest. No immunocompetent patient was infected with P carinii. Proper sample collection is important for diagnosis. When bronchoalveolar lavage is not possible, pharyngo-tracheal aspirate in children and sputum sampling after assisted coughing in adults are recommended. At least 2 staining methods and proper controls are advisable.
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