A PCR (do inglês Polymerase Chain Reaction) tem demonstrado ser uma técnica rápida e sensível para detecção de Leishmania. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a técnica não invasiva do swab conjuntival na identificação por PCR de animais infectados em um grupo de 42 cães policiais, todos vacinados contra a Leishmaniose Visceral (VL), e comparar os resultados com aqueles obtidos pelos testes sorológicos. Os ensaios sorológicos foram realizados independentemente por três laboratórios. Os laboratórios 1 e 2 eram privados. O laboratório 3 era o Laboratório de Referência Nacional. A primeira triagem sorológica realizada pelo laboratório 1 apresentou 15 cães reativos e 4 indeterminados. O laboratório 2 confirmou apenas 3 cães reativos e 2 animais indeterminados. O laboratório 3 confirmou 7 cães reativos e 3 cães foram classificados como indeterminados. O diagnóstico pela PCR, utilizando o procedimento do swab conjuntival, foi realizado em todos os 42 animais e foi capaz de detectar DNA de Leishmania em 17 cães. A PCR confirmou todos os casos simultaneamente reativos nos testes sorológicos de dois laboratórios. Os resultados demonstraram que o swab conjuntival é um método sensível e prático para coleta de amostra, permitindo um diagnóstico consistente através da PCR.

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has been shown to provide a rapid and sensitive technique for Leishmania detection. The aim of this study was to evaluate the technique of noninvasive conjunctival swabs (CS) as a sampling method for molecular screening for visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in a group of 42 police dogs, all of them vaccinated against VL, and to compare the results with those obtained by serological tests. The serological assays were performed independently by three laboratories. Laboratories 1 and 2 were private laboratories and laboratory 3 was the National Reference Laboratory. The first serological screening performed by laboratory 1 showed 15 reactive dogs and 4 indeterminate. Laboratory 2 confirmed only 3 reactive dogs and 2 indeterminate. Laboratory 3 confirmed 7 reactive dogs and 3 indeterminate. The PCR diagnosis using the CS procedure was performed on all 42 animals and was able to detect Leishmania DNA in 17 dogs. The PCR assay confirmed all the cases that were simultaneously reactive in the serological tests by two laboratories. The results showed that the CS technique was a sensitive and practical method for sample collection, thus allowing reliable diagnostic tests through PCR.

Bisphosphonates are drugs that have been widely used in different bone diseases, and have recently been used successfully against many parasites. Various synthetic routes to prepare different types of bisphosphonates have been described, with distinct potency and pharmacological activity. A number of analytical techniques are currently being used to analyze these drugs; among these, the high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), with different systems of detection, is worth highlighting. However, the development of more sensitive methods is still necessary, once they are essential for bioavailability and bioequivalence studies. This paper reports the major synthesis routes, chemical analysis methodologies and pharmacological applications of bisphosphonates.