Amylases of the genital tract. II. Peritoneal fluid isoamylases in acute salpingitis.

The activities of the specific genital isoamylases in peritoneal fluid were diminished or absent in acute salpingitis. The decrease was proportional to the severity of the tubal inflammatory reactions but could not be related to a closure of the abdominal tubal ostia. In women with infections of the lower genital tract in whom the Fallopian tubes were normal at laparoscopy, the peritoneal fluid isoamylase activities were as high as in healthy women. Determination of the activities of specific genital isoamylases in peritoneal fluid obtained by cul-de-sac puncture would seem to constitute a specific diagnostic method for acute salpingitis.