Plastid phylogenomics resolves ambiguous relationships within the orchid family and provides a solid timeframe for biogeography and macroevolution.

Recent phylogenomic analyses based on the maternally inherited plastid organelle have enlightened evolutionary relationships between the subfamilies of Orchidaceae and most of the tribes. However, uncertainty remains within several subtribes and genera for which phylogenetic relationships have not ever been tested in a phylogenomic context. To address these knowledge-gaps, we here provide the most extensively sampled analysis of the orchid family to date, based on 78 plastid coding genes representing 264 species, 117 genera, 18 tribes and 28 subtribes. Divergence times are also provided as inferred from strict and relaxed molecular clocks and birth-death tree models. Our taxon sampling includes 51 newly sequenced plastid genomes produced by a genome skimming approach. We focus our sampling efforts on previously unplaced clades within tribes Cymbidieae and Epidendreae. Our results confirmed phylogenetic relationships in Orchidaceae as recovered in previous studies, most of which were recovered with maximum support (209 of the 262 tree branches). We provide for the first time a clear phylogenetic placement for Codonorchideae within subfamily Orchidoideae, and Podochilieae and Collabieae within subfamily Epidendroideae. We also identify relationships that have been persistently problematic across multiple studies, regardless of the different details of sampling and genomic datasets used for phylogenetic reconstructions. Our study provides an expanded, robust temporal phylogenomic framework of the Orchidaceae that paves the way for biogeographical and macroevolutionary studies.

Respuesta a diferentes escenarios y complicaciones hematológicas en COVID-19 / Response to different scenarios and hematological complications in COVID-19.

Las enfermedades infecciosas emergentes y reemergentes son desafíos constantes para la salud pública en todo el mundo. Los casos recientes de neumonía de causa desconocida en Wuhan, China, han llevado al descubrimiento de un nuevo tipo de Coronavirus (2019-nCoV), que son virus de Ácido Ribonucleico (RNA) envueltos, de forma común encontrados en humanos, otros mamíferos y aves, capaces de causar enfermedades respiratorias, entéricas, hepáticas y neurológicas 1. La amenaza a la salud de la infección por Coronavirus 2 asociado al SRAS (SARS-CoV-2) y la enfermedad que produce el mismo llamada Enfermedad por Coronavirus (COVID-19) ya está estable- cida con sus tasas de infección y mortalidad de manera considerable más altas si se lo compara con otros virus respiratorios adquiridos en la comunidad 2. En tal sentido es necesario dar una respuesta por parte de la Unidad Técnica de Hematología en relación a esta pandemia con el ánimo de aportar al manejo integral de estos pacientes, homogeneizar criterios clínicos, lidiar de mejor manera con la incertidumbre en el diagnóstico y tratamiento de COVID-19. El SARS CoV-2 y su enfermedad COVID-19, en la mayoría de pacientes tiene una presentación con síntomas leves. Sin embargo, en el 5% de los casos diagnosticados requerirán de una Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos (UCI)3, ya que presentan Síndrome de Dificultad Respiratoria Aguda (SDRA), shock séptico, Insuficiencia Multiorgánica y coagulopatía hemorrágica, así como trombótica, incluyendo Coagulación Intravascular Diseminada (CID), alcanzado en las salas de UCI una tasa mortalidad por COVID-19 entre el 22% al 62% en algunas series 4. Adicional, se ha observado que el grupo de pacientes con mala evolución presentan un estado hiperinflamatorio, asemejándose al cuadro clínico descrito de una linfohistiocitosis hemofagocítica secundaria, que en este caso sería desencadenada por SARS CoV-2 5. Un grupo de Hematólogos de diferentes hospitales de la ciudad de Quito: Especialidades Carlos Andrade Marín-Instituto Ecuatoriano de Seguridad Social (HECAM-IESS), Metropolitano; y, hospitales de la ciudad de Guayaquil: Teodoro Maldonado Carbo-IESS, Hospital Luis Vernaza y Clínica Gilbert, basados en la evidencia científica disponible y experticia profesional, elaboraron éste protocolo con las recomendaciones según los diferentes escenarios y complicaciones hematológicas.

Emerging and reemerging infectious diseases are constant challenges to public health worldwide. Recent cases of pneumonia of unknown cause in Wuhan, China have led to the discovery of a new type of Coronavirus (2019-nCoV), which are enveloped ribonucleic acid (RNA) viruses, commonly found in humans, other mammals, and birds, capable of cause respiratory, enteric, liver and neurological diseases 1. The health threat of SARS-associated coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and the disease that produces it called COVID-19 has already been established with its considerably higher infection and mortality rates compared to other respiratory viruses acquired in the community 2. In this sense, it is necessary to give a response from the Hematology Technical Unit in relation to this pandemic in order to contribute to the comprehensive management of these patients, homogenize clinical criteria, better deal with uncertainty in the diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19. SARS CoV-2 and its disease COVID-19, in the majority of patients have a presentation with mild symptoms. However, in 5% of diagnosed cases they will require an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) 3, since they present Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), septic shock, Multiple Organ Failure and hemorrhagic coagulopathy, as well as thrombotic, including Coagulation Disseminated Intravascular (DIC), achieved in the ICU wards a mortality rate for COVID-19 between 22% and 62% in some series 4. Additionally, it has been observed that the group of patients with poor evolution present a hyperinflammatory state, resembling the clinical picture of secondary hemopha- gocytic lymphohistiocytosis, which in this case would be triggered by SARS CoV-2 5. The group of Hematologists from the hospitals of the city of Quito: Specialties Carlos Andrade Marín HECAM-IESS, Metropolitano; and, hospitals in the city of Guayaquil: Teodoro Maldonado Carbo-IESS, Luis Vernaza Hospital and Gilbert Clinic, based on the available scientific evidence and professional expertise, prepared this protocol with the recommendations according to the different hematological scenarios and complications.

Obtención e infusión de plasma convaleciente de paciente recuperado de infección COVID-19 para uso compasivo / Obtaining and infusing convalescent plasma from a patient recovered from COVID-19 infection for compassionate use

El 30 de enero de 2020, la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) declara que el brote de Enfermedad por Coronavirus (COVID-19) constituye una Emergencia Sanitaria de Salud de Preocupación Internacional/Public Health Emergencies of International Concern (PHEIC). El 11 de marzo de 2020, la OMS declara la pandemia1,2. El COVID-19 es una enfermedad respiratoria aguda causada por un coronavirus zoonótico de reciente aparición1. Los coronavirus son una familia de virus que se descubrió en la década de los 60 pero cuyo origen es todavía desconocido. Pueden causar enfermedades tanto en animales como en humanos. En los humanos se sabe que varios coronavirus (229E, OC43, NL63 y HUK 1) son responsables del resfriado común y en raras ocasiones se pueden producir infecciones graves de las vías respiratorias inferiores. Dos de los coronavirus causan infecciones en los seres humanos muchos más graves e incluso a veces mortales; estos son: el Coronavirus del Síndrome Respiratorio de Oriente Medio (MERS-CoV), y el Coronavirus tipo 2 asociado al SARS (SARS-CoV), que produce el síndrome respiratorio agudo grave3,4. La pandemia debida al virus SARS-CoV-2 requiere de medidas sanitarias urgentes encaminadas a reducir el riesgo de transmisión de la infección3,4. Al momento, no existe tratamiento eficaz para abordar la enfermedad por SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). La OMS emitió un informe que los primeros resultados con el uso de Plasma de Convaleciente (CP) puede ser una modalidad de tratamiento potencialmente útil para el COVID-193-5.En este sentido, se señaló la oportunidad de que los Sistemas Transfusionales de cada país realicen una evaluación de riesgos para calibrar su capacidad de extraer, preparar y almacenar este tipo de donaciones. Esto incluye recursos humanos y suministros críticos adecuados, así como un control exhaustivo de procedimientos e infraestructuras. En este marco, se sugiere el inicio de contactos con los servicios hospitalarios para que colaboren en la selección de pacientes, que habiendo superado la enfermedad del COVID-19, pudieran ser candidatos para donación de plasma sin mermar en sus derechos1. La decisión de desarrollar esta opción requiere una revisión rápida, pero exhaustiva, del agente etiológico o agentes relacionados y la respuesta inmune a ellos para evaluar los posibles beneficios y riesgos de la inmunización pasiva. Los principios generales establecidos en los documentos de posición de la Red de Reguladores de Sangre (BRN) de la OMS sobre el uso de plasma convaleciente, como elemento de respuesta a brotes anteriores de virus emergentes (2017) y como respuesta al Coronavirus del Síndrome Respiratorio de Oriente Medio (2014) siguen siendo aplicables también a esta pandemia de SARS-CoV-26,7. La falta de evidencia clínica concluyente del uso del plasma convaleciente en infección por SARS-CoV-2 no debería ser razón para abandonar el uso del plasma convaleciente. Los ensayos clínicos aleatorios están en curso y los resultados no estarán disponibles durante meses en tanto no hay justificación basada en la evidencia disponible y la ética profesional para negar categóricamente el uso del plasma convaleciente en los hospitales que no participan en un ensayo clínico aleatorio. El siguiente protocolo ha tomado algunas de las recomendaciones del Comité Científico para la Seguridad Transfusional del Ministerio de Sanidad de España Versión 1.0 ­ 26 marzo de 20201. Y ha sido modificado para tratar de adaptarlo a la realidad de nuestra institución.

On January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that the COVID-19 outbreak constitutes a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC). On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the pandemic1,2. COVID-19 is an acute respiratory disease caused by a newly emerging zoonotic coronavirus1. Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that was discovered in the 1960s but whose origin is still unknown. They can cause disease in both animals and humans. In humans, several coronaviruses (229E, OC43, NL63, and HUK 1) are known to be responsible for the common cold, and serious infections of the lower respiratory tract can rarely occur. Two of the coronaviruses cause much more serious and even sometimes fatal infections in humans; These are: MERS-CoV, as the cause of respiratory syndrome in the Middle East, and SARS-CoV, which produces severe acute respiratory syndrome3,4. The pandemic due to the SARS-CoV-2 virus requires urgent sanitary measures aimed at reducing the risk of transmission of the infection3,4. Currently, there is no effective treatment to address SARS-CoV-2 disease (COVID-19). The WHO issued a report that early results with the use of convalescent plasma (PC) may be a potentially useful treatment modality for COVID-193-5. In this sense, the opportunity for the Transfusion Systems of each country to carry out a risk assessment to gauge their ability to extract, prepare and store this type of donation. This includes adequate critical human resources and supplies, as well as a comprehensive control of procedures and infrastructure. In this framework, it is suggested that contacts with hospital services be initiated so that they collaborate in the selection of patients who, having overcome the COVID-19 disease, may be candidates for plasma donation without diminishing their rights1. The decision to develop this option requires a rapid, but comprehensive, review of the etiologic agent or related agents and the immune response to them to assess the possible benefits and risks of passive immunization. The general principles established in the position papers of the WHO Blood Regulators Network (BRN) on the use of convalescent plasma, as an element of response to previous outbreaks of emerging viruses (2017) and as a response to the syndrome coronavirus respiratory problems of the Middle East (2014) are still applicable to this SARS-CoV-2 pandemic6,7. The lack of conclusive clinical evidence of the use of convalescent plasma in SARS-CoV-2 infection should not be a reason to abandon the use of convalescent plasma. Randomized clinical trials are ongoing and results will not be available for months as there is no justification based on available evidence and professional ethics to categorically deny the use of convalescent plasma in hospitals that do not participate in a randomized clinical trial. The following protocol has taken some of the recommendations of the Scientific Committee for Transfusion Safety of the Spanish Ministry of Health Version 1.0 - March 26, 20201. And it has been modified to try to adapt it to the reality of our institution.

Isolation and characterization of non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) isolated from retail ground beef in Santiago, Chile.

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is one of the main cause of foodborne disease worldwide, but isolation rates or characteristics of this bacteria from ground beef in Chile are unknown. The present study aimed to isolate and characterize non-O157 STEC from ground beef sold at retail in the city of Santiago, Chile. We analyzed 430 ground beef samples for the presence of STEC, and isolated the microorganism in 10% of samples (43/430). We obtained 56 isolates from the 43 positive samples; 55 of these (98.2%) fermented sorbitol. Most isolates (98.2%; 55/56) showed ß-glucoronidase activity, and only six (10.7%; 6/56) were resistant to tellurite. Among the virulence factors studied (stx1, stx2, eae, and hlyA), stx2 was the only virulence factor in 41% of the isolates (23/56), whereas 10.7% (6/56) of isolates carried a combination of three virulence factors (stx1 + stx2 + hlyA). None of the isolates carried the gene eae. Finally, isolates were neither serogroups O157 nor "big six". In conclusion, ground beef sold in Santiago, Chile is contaminated with STEC; however, further studies are required for understanding their virulence potential.

Practical Recommendations for Preoperative Skin Antisepsis / Recomendaciones prácticas para la antisepsia preoperatoria de la piel

Abstract The search for strategies for the reduction of Surgical Site infection (SSI) is a priority, given the impact those infections have on the outcome of the patients. The preope rative patient skin antisepsis, has recently gained greater significance in the prevention of SSI, as one of the critical factors, which can be intervened and can reduce the risk of infection. In recent years, comprehensive investigations have been published, not only dedicated to the comparison of antiseptic solutions, application techniques, but also about the importance of preoperative washing, use of surgical tapes and dressings impregnated with antiseptics, and preoperative shaving. This review outlines the key findings related to the preoperative patient's skin antisepsis and offers a protocol with practical recommendations to be implemented in the institutions of our country. It provides evidence based recommendations about the use of antiseptic solutions (povidone iodine, chlorhexidine, chlorhexidine plus alcohol, etc.) with emphasis on the advantages and disadvantages of each one.

Resistencia a fármacos antirretrovirales en la Clínica de VIH del Hospital de Especialidades Carlos Andrade Marín / Antiviral Drug Resistance in the HIV Clinic, Carlos Andrade Marín Specialities Hospital

Introducción. La resistencia a los fármacos antirretrovirales es un problema de importancia mundial. El tratamiento antirretroviral procura disminuir la carga viral y permitir la reconstitución inmune, logrando la máxima supresión viral por el mayor tiempo posible, con un mínimo impacto en las actividades del paciente. Objetivo. Evaluar la prevalencia de resistencia antiviral en pacientes sometidos a la prueba de resistencia viral. Material y métodos. Para el estudio se recolectaron muestras de plasma de 41 pacientes de la clínica de VIH del Hospital de Especialidades Carlos Andrade Marín con sospecha clínica de resistencia a antirretrovirales y fallo virológico. Todas las muestras se almacenaron a -80°C hasta su uso y se procesaron de acuerdo a las condiciones del fabricante en cuanto a extracción de ARN y secuenciación. Los resultados fueron analizados con el software DeepChek®, específico para detectar resistencia antirretroviral de VIH. Resultados. Cuarenta y un pacientes fueron seleccionados para el análisis de resistencia antirretroviral, más del 85% (35/41) de los pacientes estudiados presentaron resistencia a algún fármaco antirretroviral. La mayoría de pacientes (71%; 29/41) resultaron tener algún tipo de resistencia a inhibidores de nucleósidos de la transcriptasa inversa (NRTI) e inhibidores de no nucleósidos de la transcriptasa inversa (NNRTI) conjuntamente. Conclusiones. El problema de resistencia viral es evidente en los pacientes contagiados por VIH, en nuestro caso se observa alta resistencia a NRTI y NNRTI. Se pudieron identificar pacientes con resistencia primaria y resistencia secundaria, generando inquietud en la importancia de la adherencia del paciente al tratamiento, con el fin de tener supresión antiviral efectiva.

Introduction. Resistance to antiviral drugs is a major problem worldwide. Antiretroviral therapy seeks to reduce viral load and allows for immune reconstitution, achieving viral suppression for as long as possible, with minimum impact on patient activities. Objective. To evaluate the prevalence of antiviral resistance in patients subjected to viral resistance test. Resistance to antiretrovirals has clinical, virological and immunological implications, so monitoring resistance in case of virological failure optimizes therapeutic scheme selection, to minimize costs and obtain greater treatment success. Materials and methods. Plasma samples with clinical suspicion of antiretroviral resistance and virological failure were collected from 41 patients at the HIV Clinic, Carlos Andrade Marín Specialties Hospital. All samples were stored at -80°C until processed, following Manufacturer conditions for RNA extraction and sequencing. Results were analyzed using DeepChek® for the detection of HIV antiretroviral resistance. Results. Over 85% of patients studied had resistance to a antiretroviral drug. Most patients (71%) were found to have some type of combined resistance to NRTI and NNRTI. Conclusions. The problem of viral resistance is evident in patients infected with HIV. We observed high resistance to NRTI and NNRTI. Patients with primary and secondary resistance were identified, raising concerns about the importance of patient adherence to treatment, to achieve effective antiviral suppression.

Tigeciclina en infecciones intraabdominales complicadas / Tigecycline in complicated intra-abdominal infections

Objetivo: evaluar la mejor evidencia actual disponible para generar recomendaciones, con respecto a la efectividad y seguridad del uso de tigeciclina en adultos con infección intraabdominal complicada. Materiales y métodos: se realizó una revisión sistemática de la literatura, seleccionando los metaanálisis y experimentos clínicos controlados, los cuales se valora- ron utilizando la herramienta SIGN, con el fin de generar tablas de evidencia según GRADE de los estudios de tigeciclina en la indicación infección intraabdominal complicada, para posteriormente utilizar un proceso Delphi modificado para calificar las diferentes recomendaciones con el fin de generar un consenso. Resultados: se analizaron los resultados basados en la revisión sistemática de la literatura en la que se incluyeron 5 metaanálisis que cumplieron los criterios de selección comparando tigeciclina con otros tratamientos antibióticos en infección intraabdominal complicada; de los cuales, 2711 pacientes recibieron al menos una dosis del antibiótico (1382 tigeciclina y 1389 el comparador) y en los que no se observaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en los desenlaces evaluados al comparar tigeciclina con otros antibióticos. Conclusión: en pacientes adultos con infección intraabdominal complicada, se considera que el uso de tigeciclina en monoterapia es equivalente en eficacia y seguridad a otras opciones terapéuticas antimicrobianas y no representa un exceso de mortalidad en comparación a otros antibióticos

Objective: To assess current best evidence available to generate recommendations regarding the effectiveness and safety of tigecycline use in adults with complicated intra-abdominal infection (cIAIs). Materials and methods: We conducted a systematic review of published meta-analysis that evaluated tigecycline compared to other antimicrobials and included the indication of cIAI. Quality of the evidence was evaluated by using the SIGN tool (Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network) according to GRADE, and final recommendations were assessed by a modified Delphi Method in order to develop a consensus. Results: Five meta-analyzes met the selection criteria comparing tigecycline with other antibiotic treatments in complicated intra-abdominal infection. Five randomized clinical trials comprised in these meta-analysis included 2711 patients that received at least one dose of antibiotic (1382 tigecycline and 1389 the comparator regimen), We found no statistically significant differences in the evaluated outcomes by comparing tigecycline with other antibiotics, including clinical and microbiologic efficacy, safety and drug related mortality Conclusion: In adult patients with cIAIs, the use of tigecycline as monotherapy is equivalent in effectiveness to other antimicrobial therapeutic options and does not represent an increase in mortality compared to other antibiotics.

Recomendaciones prácticas para la antisepsia de la piel del paciente antes de cirugía / Practical recommendations for skin preparation of Surgical Site

La búsqueda de estrategias para la disminución de la infección de sitio operatorio (ISO) es una prioridad, dado el impacto que ésta tiene en los resultados de la atención de los pacientes. Recientemente ha tomado gran relevancia en la prevención de la ISO, la preparación prequirúrgica de la piel del paciente como uno de los factores clave, en los que se puede intervenir y disminuir el riesgo. En los últimos años han aparecido revisiones exhaustivas dedicadas no solo a la comparación de las soluciones antisépticas, y técnica de aplicación, también acerca de la importancia del baño pre operatorio, uso de cintas y compresas quirúrgicas impregnadas con antisépticos y el recorte de cabello preoperatorio. En esta publicación se describen los hallazgos más importantes relacionados con la preparación antiséptica de la piel del paciente y se propone un protocolo con recomendaciones prácticas para ser implementado en las instituciones del país. Se incluyen recomendaciones basadas en niveles de evidencia sobre el uso de las soluciones antisépticas (yodopovidona, clorhexidina, clorhexidina mas alcohol, entre otras) con énfasis en las ventajas y desventajas de cada una de ellas.

The search for strategies for reduction of Surgical Site infection (SSI) is a priority, given the impact that infections have on the outcome of the patients. The preoperative patient skin antisepsis, has recently gained greater significance in the prevention of SSI, as one of the critical factors, which can be intervened and can reduce the risk of infection. In recent years, comprehensive investigations have been published not only dedicated to the comparison of antiseptic solutions, application techniques, but also about the importance of preoperative bathing, use of surgical tapes and dressings impregnated with antiseptics, and preoperative shaving. This review outlines the key findings related to the preoperative patient's skin antisepsis and offers a protocol with practical recommendations to be implemented in the institutions of our country. It provides evidence based recommendations about the use of antiseptic solutions (povidone iodine, chlorhexidine, chlorhexidine plus alcohol, etc.) with emphasis on the advantages and disadvantages of each one.

Frugivory in Canopy Plants in a Western Amazonian Forest: Dispersal Systems, Phylogenetic Ensembles and Keystone Plants.

Frugivory is a widespread mutualistic interaction in which frugivores obtain nutritional resources while favoring plant recruitment through their seed dispersal services. Nonetheless, how these complex interactions are organized in diverse communities, such as tropical forests, is not fully understood. In this study we evaluated the existence of plant-frugivore sub-assemblages and their phylogenetic organization in an undisturbed western Amazonian forest in Colombia. We also explored for potential keystone plants, based on network analyses and an estimate of the amount of fruit going from plants to frugivores. We carried out diurnal observations on 73 canopy plant species during a period of two years. During focal tree sampling, we recorded frugivore identity, the duration of each individual visit, and feeding rates. We did not find support for the existence of sub assemblages, such as specialized vs. generalized dispersal systems. Visitation rates on the vast majority of canopy species were associated with the relative abundance of frugivores, in which ateline monkeys (i.e. Lagothrix and Ateles) played the most important roles. All fruiting plants were visited by a variety of frugivores and the phylogenetic assemblage was random in more than 67% of the cases. In cases of aggregation, the plant species were consumed by only primates or only birds, and filters were associated with fruit protection and likely chemical content. Plants suggested as keystone species based on the amount of pulp going from plants to frugivores differ from those suggested based on network approaches. Our results suggest that in tropical forests most tree-frugivore interactions are generalized, and abundance should be taken into account when assessing the most important plants for frugivores.

Mieloma múltiple en el Hospital Carlos Andrade Marín, estado clínico al diagnóstico y sobrevida / Multiple myeloma in Carlos Andrade Marin Hospital, diagnostic and survival clinical status

Introducción: la mortalidad asociada a los pacientes con mieloma múltiple (MM) son los únicos datos disponibles en Ecuador. El presente estudio tiene por objetivo caracterizar la enfermedad, definir la tasa de mortalidad y describir los factores relacionados en los casos de MM tratados en el Hospital Carlos Andrade Marín. Materiales y métodos: análisis retrospectivo de datos demográficos, características clínicas de los pacientes con MM, recogidos de enero a diciembre de 2011. Resultados: 52 pacientes entre 29 a 89 años (media 61), 15 fueron mujeres (29%). 73% tenía un mieloma IgG, el 28% IgA y 19% fueron cadenas ligeras. Según el sistema de estadificación Durie y Salmon (D&S), 13% en etapa I, 25% en etapa II, 33% en estadío III. Fue excluido el 41% ya que la información no estaba disponible. Mortalidad en el estadío clínico avanzado del Mieloma (D&S etapa III) fue de 10%, en las etapas I y II no fueron registradas muertes. El daño renal fue más frecuente en la etapa III (33%) comparado con las etapas I (13%) y II (25%). Conclusiones: la mortalidad se asoció a un estadío avanzado del MM (etapa III) y al daño renal presente (29%).

Introduction: mortality associated with patients with multiple myeloma (MM) is the only data available in Ecuador. This study aims to characterize the disease, determine its mortality rate and describe related factors in the cases of MM treated at the Carlos Andrade Marin Hospital. Materials and methods: retrospective analysis of demographic data, clinical characteristics of patients with MM, collected between january and december 2011. Results: 52 patients between 29 to 89 years (mean 61), 15 were women (29%). 73% had an IgG myeloma, 28% IgA and 19% were light chains. According to the staging system Durie and Salmon (D & S) 13% in stage I, stage II 25%, 33% stage III. 41% was excluded because information was not available. Mortality in the advanced clinical stage of myeloma (D & S stage III) was 10% in stages I and II were not registering deaths. Renal damage was more frequent in stage III (33%) compared with stages I (13%) and II (25%). Conclusions: mortality was associated with advanced stages of MM (stage III) and kidney damage present (29%).