Ultra-diluted complex additive in the diet reveals benefits in the intestinal tract of nursery-phase piglets.

This study aimed to assess an ultra-diluted (UD) complex, as a replacement for an antimicrobial growth promoter in diets, on growth performance, intestinal health, and inflammatory response of nursery piglets. The experiment lasted 37 days and involved 126 animals weaned at 21 ± 1.3 d, with an initial body weight of 5.62 ± 1.16 kg. Piglets were assigned to six dietary treatments in a randomized block design with seven replicates and three piglets per pen as experimental unit. The treatments were: positive control (PC)- basal diet + 120 mg/kg of chlorohydroxyquinoline; negative control (NC)- basal diet without additives; and NC containing 4.5; 6.0; 7.5 or 9.0 kg of UD additive/ton diet. Performance data were calculated, and daily diarrhea was observed. Blood samples were collected for hematological analysis. At the end of the experiment, one animal per pen was slaughtered for organ weighing, pH, and the collection of intestinal samples for histopathology. Feces and cecal contents were collected for microbiological and antibiogram analyses. There was no difference in the performance between the treatments. Throughout the study, UD levels were equal to those of PC for diarrhea occurrence. Higher levels of UD complex led to higher total leukocyte counts. The 4.5 treatment showed a reduction in total and thermotolerant Enterobacteriaceae populations in piglet feces and an increase in lactic acid bacteria compared to PC. All treatments resulted in fewer duodenal histopathological alterations than those in the NC group. The use of UD additives, especially at 4.5 kg/ton, is a good alternative to chlorohydroxyquinoline in piglet diets.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 in Patients With End-Stage Kidney Disease on Hemodialysis in Guatemala.

INTRODUCTION: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is public health concern across the world. Data on the epidemiology among patients on hemodialysis in Latin America and low- and middle-income countries are limited. METHODS: Using electronic medical records from the second largest dialysis network in Guatemala, we performed a retrospective analysis of all adult patients on hemodialysis with the diagnosis of COVID-19 to estimate incidence of infection and to describe the demographics, comorbidities, and outcomes. We stratified incidence rate by region. We reviewed data from May 1 to July 31, 2020, with outcome data ascertained up to August 28, 2020. RESULTS: Of 3201 patients undergoing hemodialysis, 325 patients were diagnosed with COVID-19 (incidence rate 102/1000 patients on hemodialysis, compared with 3/1000 in the general population). Incidence was higher in the Central region (207/1000) and lowest in the Southeast region (33/1000), and unlike in the general population, the incidence was lower in Guatemala City. The mean age of patients diagnosed with COVID-19 was 51.1 years (standard deviation [SD] 14.8 years), and 84 (25.8%) were female. The median length of hospital stay was 12 days (interquartile range [IQR] 10-16 days). Two hundred twenty-nine (69.8%) of the patients recovered, 90 patients died (27.7%), and 6 (1.8%) patients were still in the hospital at the time of last follow-up. CONCLUSION: The incidence of diagnosed COVID-19 in Guatemalan patients on hemodialysis was much higher than reported in the general population, with outcomes similar to those described in high-income countries. Rural regions had higher incidence rates than the major metropolitan area.

Proteinuria en habitantes de una aldea costera de Santa Rosa, Guatemala / Proteinuria in inhabitants of a coastal village of Santa Rosa, Guatemala

Objetivo: determinar la presencia de proteinuria en habitantes de una aldea de la región costera de Santa Rosa, Guatemala, julio del año 2019. Material y métodos: estudio descriptivo y transversal, en una muestra de 575 habitantes de la aldea Casas Viejas, captada por durante cuatro jornadas médicas. Las muestras de orina fueron analizadas con tiras reactivas. Resultados: de los habitantes que participaron, 55.48 % (319) fueron de sexo femenino, la mediana de edad fue de 24 años, el 39.820% (229) estudiante y el 85.2 % (490) sin antecedentes patológicos. De los factores predisponentes de enfermedad renal, el 56.170% (323) consume antiinflamatorios no esteroideo -AINES-, el 82.26 % (473) bebidas carbonatadas, el 13.570% (78) bebidas alcohólicas; la mediana de consumo de agua fue de 6 vasos diarios y 13.22 % (76) han estado expuestos a agroquímicos. Proteinuria se documentó en 8.87 % (51) de los habitantes. Conclusiones: más de la mitad de los sujeto de estudio son de sexo femenino y sin antecedentes patológicos; de los factores predisponentes a enfermedad renal los más frecuentes son el consumo de -AINES-, bebidas carbonatadas y la hidratación inadecuada. Nueve de cada cien sujetos de estudio presentan proteinuria.

Objetive: to establish urine protein presence in inhabitants of a small village of the coastal region in Santa Rosa, Guatemala. July 2019. Material y methods: Descriptive and transversal study performed on 575 persons from Casas Viejas village, using a nonprobabilistic sampling. Proteinuria was determined by urine test strips. Results: Of the persons studied, 55.48% (319) were female, mean age was 24 years old, 39.82% (229) were students and 85.25% had no pathological background. Predisposing factors of kidney disease were noted, 56.17% (323) consumed Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), 82.26% (473) consumed carbonated drinks, 13.57% (78) alcoholic beverages, the mean water consumption was 6 glasses per day, and 13.22% (76), were exposed to agrochemical pesticides. Proteinuria was found in 8.87% (51) of the sample. Conclutions: more than half of population were female and didn´t showed pathological signs. Predisposing factors to kidney disease were, frequent NSAIDs use, carbonated drinks consumption a no adequate hydration. Nine of each one hundred people studied presented urine protein.