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Increasing milk production in countries such as Brazil, India and Pakistan implies the generation of dairy by-products such as nutrient-rich bovine whey which, if used in feeding small ruminants would reduce environmental waste and add value to this by-product. Twenty entire male kids weighing an average 17 kg and 5 months age were used. The diet control was composed by Aruana hay, milled whole maize, pelleted soybean and limestone. Bovine cheese whey at 1.5; 3.0 and 4.5% (DM basis) was added to experimental diets. Variables measured included intake, nutrient apparent digestibility, energy balance, and nitrogen balance. Regression equations and Pearson correlations (P ? 0.05) were determined. The 3% diet resulted in greater ether extract (EE) (g/kg0.75) and digestible EE (P ? 0.05) concentrations compared to 0% whey. The consumption of cellulose (g/kg0.75) was greater (P ? 0.05) for kids on the 3.0% diet compared to 0 or 1.5%. Nutrient apparent digestibility was not affected (P > 0.05) by the inclusion of whey. Kids on the 4.5% diet excreted more (P ? 0.05) fecal N than those fed no whey; these also retained less N (P ? 0.05) compared to animals fed 3.0% or less whey in their diet. All diets resulted in positive energy and nitrogen balances. Bovine whey can be included in male kid diets up to 4.5% of diet without negatively affecting consumption or apparent digestibility of those diets.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the in situ degradability of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and hemicellulose of elephant grass (Pennisetumpurpureum, Schum.) with increasing levels (0; 35.0; 70.0, 105.0, and 140.0 g kg-1) of dried pineapple (Ananascomosus, L.) by-product (DPBP). The experimental silos consisted of plastic drums with 210 L capacity. After weighing and homogenizing the elephant grass with the DABP, the material was inserted in the silos (126 kg silage, at a density of 600 kg m-3) and compressed. After 45 days of ensilage, silos were opened and samples of the silages were collected for the trial. The study of degradability in situ was conducted using a rumen-fistulated male cattle. The animal was fed with corn silage supplemented with 1 kg concentrate daily. Five levels of addition of the by-product were tested, with three replicates and five times of incubation with an animal. The experimental design was completely randomized with split plots, in which the proportions of DPBP were the treatments (plots), the different silos were the replicates, and the incubation times were the subplots. The levels of inclusion of DPBP provided an increase (P < 0.05) in disappearance of DM and CP and in the effective degradability of DM, NDF, ADF, and hemicellulose. The dried pineapple by-product is a potential alternative to be used as additive in the ensilage of elephant grass, as it provides an increase in the rumen degradability parameters.

ABSTRACT This study was conducted to evaluate the intake, apparent digestibility (AD), and degradability in situ of elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum) silages containing 0, 35.0, 70.0, 105.0, and 140.0 g kg-1 by-product from dried cashew apple (DCBP) (as fed basis). A completely randomized design with four replicates was adopted. For the study of degradability in situ, one adult male cattle was used in a completely randomized design with split plots. Intake and AD of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), hemicellulose, and cellulose were evaluated, and the digestible energy (DE) and nitrogen balance (NB) of the silages were determined. The degradability in situ of DM, CP, and NDF was also determined. Addition of DCBP provided an increase in the intakes of DM, CP, NDF, and ADF. No effects of the levels of addition of DCBP were observed on the coefficients of AD of the silages. Regarding NB, positive values were only detected in the treatment with 105.0 g kg-1 DCBP. In the analysis of the degradability in situ, the incubation periods increased the rates of disappearance of DM, CP, and NDF. However, no effect of the levels of DCBP were observed on the effective degradability of DM. The by-product from dried cashew apple can be included at up to 140.0 g kg-1 in silages of elephant grass, but the high contents of acid detergent insoluble nitrogen may compromise the use and availability of nitrogen to the animals.

This research was carried out to evaluate the effects of pregnancy, number of fetuses and feed restriction on nutrients intake and digestibility and on ruminal rate passage. Twenty-four ewes were used at 90, 110 and 130 pregnancy days distributed among treatments according to the number of fetuses. They received balanced diet or restricted diet at 15% of energy and protein requirement. Ewes with two fetuses on feed restriction had more dry matter intake than those with one fetus. At 130 day there was the highest dry matter and neutral detergent fiber intake. Twin-pregnant ewes showed the highest nutrient digestibility, except for fiber fraction. Feed restriction caused the smallest dry matter intake. Ruminal rate passage increased in late pregnancy.

The study aimed to evaluate the inclusion of cashew by-product (Anacardium occidentale L.) on the ammoniac nitrogen concentrations (N-NH3), pH and vollatile fatty acids concentrations (VFA) of the ruminal fluid, in sheep that received diets containing the cited by-product. Twenty male, entire sheep had been distributed in four treatments with different levels of cashew by-product inclusion (zero; 19%; 38%; 52%) in a randomized block design, in a split-plot project, having in the parcels the diets and the sub-parcels the times of collection (zero, two, five, eight hours after-feeding) with five replications. PH was remained inside of the normal standards cited by same literature in the raised cashew by-product inclusions. Diets with zero and 52% had gotten the biggest concentrations of N-NH3. The molar ratio of the AGV in the ruminal liquid in the diets with cashew by-product was typical of rich diets in voluminous. The relation acetate: propionate was not affected by the inclusion of the cashew by-product. The inclusion of the cashew by-product in up to 19 % of the dietary total presented better resulted in that it says respect to the parameters analyzed in this work.KEY WORDS: Ammoniac nitrogen, Ovis aries, pH, parameters ruminate, ruminants, volatile fatty acids. El estudio apunto evaluar la inclusión del subproducto de caju (Anacardium occidentale) en la concentración de nitrogeno amoniacal (N-NH3), el pH y las concentraciones de los acidos grasos vollatiles (AGV) en el liquido ruminal de ovinos que recibieron las dietas experimentales isofibrosas y isoproteic que contiene el subproducto en el niveles crescientes. Veinte ovinos machos habon distribuido en cuatro tratamientos con niveles de inclusion del subproducto de caju (cero, 19%, 38%, 52%) en un diseno de bloque al azar, en parcelas sudivididas, teniendo en los parcelas las dietas y los su-parcelas los tiempos de la coleccion (cero, dos, cinco y ocho horas despues de alimentacion) con cinco replicas. El pH se mantuvo dentro de los estándares normales citados en la literatura, cuando en alta inclusion del subproducto de caju. Los tratamientos cero y el 52% presentaron las mayores concentraciones de N-NH3. La proporción de moles de AGV en lo liquido ruminal en las dietas con subproducto de caju era típica de dietas ricas en volumoso. La relacion acetato: propionato no se afectou por la inclusión del subproducto del caju. La inclusión del subproducto de caju en 19% de la dieta total presento mejores resultados en los parámetros analizados en este trabajo. O presente estudo foi desenvolvido para avaliar a influência da inclusão de diferentes níveis do coproduto do processamento do caju (Anacardium occidentale L.) sobre a concentração de nitrogênio amoniacal (N-NH3) em mg/100 mL, pH e concentrações molares de ácidos graxos voláteis (AGVs) do líquido ruminal, em ovinos recebendo dietas experimentais isofibrosas e isoproteicas. Distribuíram-se vinte ovinos machos, inteiros em quatro tratamentos de inclusão do coproduto de caju (zero %; 19%; 38%; 52%), segundo delineamento em blocos ao acaso, em esquema de parcelas subdivididas, em que as parcelas eram as dietas e as subparcelas os tempos de colheita (zero, duas, cinco, oito horas pós-prandial) com cinco repetições. O pH manteve-se dentro dos padrões citados na literatura, mesmo diante de elevadas inclusões de coproduto de caju. Os tratamentos com zero % e 52% apresentaram as maiores concentrações de N-NH3. A proporção molar dos AGVs no líquido ruminal dos ovinos alimentados com rações com o coproduto de caju foi típica de dietas ricas em volumosos. A relação acetato:propionato não foi afetada pela inclusão do coderivado de caju. A inclusão do coproduto de caju em até 19 % na ração apresentou os melhores resultados no que diz respeito aos parâmetros analisados neste trabalho.PALAVRAS-CHAVES: Ácidos graxos voláteis, nitrogênio amoniacal, Ovis aries, pH, parâmetros ruminais, ruminantes.

Com o objetivo de avaliar o valor nutritivo de silagens de capim-elefante (CE) contendo o subproduto do processamento de abacaxi desidratado (SAD), utilizaram-se 20 ovinos, machos não-castrados, distribuídos em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com cinco tratamentos (0,0; 3,5; 7,0; 10,5 e 14% de SAD na silagem) e quatro repetições. Estimaram-se os consumos de matéria seca (MS), proteína bruta (PB), fibra em detergente neutro (FDN), fibra em detergente ácido (FDA) e energia digestível (ED), bem como as digestibilidades de MS, PB, FDN, FDA, hemicelulose e EB e o balanço de nitrogênio (BN). Com a adição de SAD, foram observados aumentos lineares nos consumos de MS, PB, MSD e ED. A adição de 1% de SAD na ensilagem do capim-elefante resultou em aumento de 16,17 g nos consumos diários de MS e PB. A adição de SAD na ensilagem de capim-elefante promoveu aumento 14,1 g; 0,60 g; e 0,60 Mcal nos consumos diários de matéria seca, proteína bruta e enegia digestíveis, respectivamente. Com a adição de SAD, não houve alterações na digestibilidade de MS (53,3%), PB (42,1%) e FDN (55,2%) das silagens nem no balanço de nitrogênio (2,92 g/dia). Entretanto, o balanço de nitrogênio só atingiu valores positivos quando adicionado SAD à dieta. O subproduto de abacaxi desidratado pode ser adicionado em níveis de até 14% da matéria natural na ensilagem de capim-elefante, pois melhora o valor nutritivo das silagens e possibilita maiores consumos de matéria seca, proteína bruta, matéria seca e energia digestíveis.The present study aimed to determine de nutritional value of mixed elephant grass silages in increasing levels with dehydrated pineapple industry by-product (PAB). Five PAB levels (0.0, 3.5, 7.0, 10.5, and 14.0%) were tested with 20 male non-castrated sheep in a randomized experimental design of five treatments (PAB levels) and four replications per treatment (sheep). Intake and digestibility of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), cellulose (CEL), hemicelulose (HCEL) and energy as well as nitrogen balance were determined. Linear increases on the DM, CP intake and digestible energy occurred as the PAB content increased in the silage. For every increase of 1% of PAB in the silage, increments of 16.17 g and 1.55 g of DM and CP intakes, respectively, were observed. The addition of PAB in the silage increased the DDM, DCP and DE intake. However, the nutrients digestibility remained unchanged. Mean values were 53.3%, 42.1%, 55.2% and 2.92 g/day for DM, CP, NDF and NB, respectively. NB was positive only with PAB in the rations. It is concluded that additions of PAB in the elephant grass silage up to a level of 14% in a natural basis increases the digestible nutrients intake.

Fed intake and milk production of Holstein-Zebu crossbred cows, grazing Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) (NAP), Brachiaria decumbens (BRA) and Guinea grass (Pannicum maximum) (COL) and supplemented with four kg of concentrate, were evaluated in a double Latin square (3x3). Fecal production and feed intake were calculated using Cr2O3 and in vitro digestibility. Dry mater intake (DMI) was similar among forages (18kg/cow) which represented 2.72%; 2.84% and 2.96% of the live weight for NAP, BRACH and COL respectively. The intake per unit of metabolic size (g DM/kg0.75) was 130 for NAP, 135 for BRACH and 145 for COL. The intake of BRACH resulted in lower milk production (14,4kg) than NAP (15,5kg) and COL (16,1Kg). Grasses did not affected the milk composition which showed 4,03% of fat, 2,46% of protein and 12,42% of total solids. It was concluded that NAP, BRACH and COL are good alternatives for milk production in grazing systems. KEY WORDS: Brachiaria decumbens, Guinea grass, Panicum maximum, Napier, Pennisetum purpureum. Realizou-se a avaliação do consumo de alimentos e da produção de leite de vacas mestiças pastejando piquetes de capim Napier (Pennisetum purpureum) (NAP), Brachiaria decumbens (BRA) e Colonião (Pannicum maximum) (COL) e suplementadas com quatro kg de concentrado em um esquema de quadrado latino (3x3) duplo. Calcularam-se a produção fecal e o consumo de alimentos com o auxílio do Cr2O3 e da digestibilidade in vitro. O consumo diário de MS foi semelhante entre as forragens (18kg/vaca), as quais representaram 2,72%; 2,84% e 2,96% do p.v. para o NAP, BRACH e COL, respectivamente. O consumo por unidade de tamanho metabólico (g MS/kg0,75) foi de 130 para o NAP, 135 para a BRACH e 145 para o COL. A ingestão de BRACH resultou em menor produção de leite (14,4Kg) em comparação ao NAP (15,5kg) e COL (16,1kg). Verificou-se que as espécies forrageiras não influíram na composição do leite das vacas, o qual apresentou 4,03% de gordura, 2,46% de proteína e 12,42% de extrato seco total. Concluiu-se que os capins NAP, BRACH e COL apresentam-se como boas alternativas para a produção de leite a pasto.PALAVRAS-CHAVES: Brachiaria decumbens, colonião, Pannicum maximum, Napier, Pennisetum purpureum

Avaliou-se a digestibilidade in vitro (DIV) e in situ da matéria seca (MS) e “in situ” da proteína bruta (PB), fibra em detergente neutro (FDN) e fibra em detergente ácido (FDA), celulose e hemicelulose das gramíneas Colonião (Pannicum maximum) (COL), Brachiaria decumbens (BRACH) e Napier (Pennisetum purpureum) (NAP) de amostras colhidasmanualmente e por vacas portadoras de cânula no esôfago. A DIV-MS das gramíneas colhidas, manualmente, foi de 64% para NAP, 63% para BRACH e 55% para COL. A fração insolúvel potencialmente degradável (%) e a taxa de degradação (% h-1) das gramíneas NAP, BRACH e COL foram, respectivamente, de 62,8 e 6,4; 64,7 e 5,0 e 65,7 e 4,0 para a MS;62,0 e 4,2; 62,6 e 3,0 e 70,8 e 2,6 para a PB; 77,2 e 6,3; 75,5 e 4,9 e 70,1 e 3,7 para a FDN. Concluiu-se que a oferta de forragem estudada permitiu aos bovinos seleção dos alimentos de forma a se obter dietas com valores nutritivos superiores aos disponíveis nas pastagens e que para o sistema de pastejo contínuo com carga animal variável, a gramínea Napier mostrou-se mais digestível, seguida pela Braquiária e pelo Colonião que apresentou os menores parâmetros de degradação ruminal.This study evaluated in vitro (IV) and in situ dry mater (DM) digestibility, as well as in situ crude protein (CP), neutral (NDF) and acid (ADF) detergent fiber, cellulose and hemicellulose degradability of Colonião (Pannicum maximum) (COL), Brachiaria decumbens (BRACH), and Napier (Pennisetum purpureum) (NAP) grasses. The grasses were collected manually and from esophagealfistulated cows. The IV-DM digestibility of the manually collected samples were 64% for NAP, 63% for BRACH and 55% for COL. The insoluble potentially degradable fraction (%) and the degradation rate (% h-1) of NAP, BRACH and COL grasses were 62.8 and 6.4,64.7 and 5.0, and 65.7 and 4.0 for DM; 62.0 and 4.2, 62.6 and 3.0, and 70.8 and 2.6 for CP; 77.2 and 6.3, 75.5 and 4.9, and 70.1 and 3.7 for NDF, respectively. It was concluded that forage availability was adequate and allowed forage selection by cattle, as the selected dietwas more nutritive than the manually collected grass. For pasture systems with variable animal weight per hectare, Napier grass had higher digestibility, followed by Brachiaria and Colonião, which showed the lowest degradation values.

Nutritive value of silages of Elephant grass (Pen-nisetum purpureum, Schum.) mixed with 0; 3.5%; 7.0%; 10.5% and 14.0 % of dehydrated by product from juice industry of cashew fruit (Anacardium occidentale, L) (DBC) was determined. A randomized design was used with four replicates. Silages were opened after 65 days and samples taken for analysis of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), hemicellulose HCEL), cellulose (CEL), lig-nin (LIG), crude energy (CE), ash, neutral detergent inso-luble nitrogen (NDIN) and acid detergent insoluble nitro-gen (ADIN). Were also analyzed, pH, ammonia nitrogen and organic acids (lactic, acetic, butyric and propionic). Regarding fermentative parameters, there was an expected decrease in pH and the increasing levels of DBC did not affect the concentrations of N-NH3/NT and organic acids. It is concluded that dehydrated cashew by product can be ensiled along with Elephant grass without altering its fer-mentative characteristics. On the other side, the increased cell walls and ADIN contents of the silage may affect its nutritional value. Key-words: Cashew byproducts, nutritive value, tropical grass. O trabalho foi desenvolvido com o objetivo de se avaliar o valor nutritivo das silagens de capim-elefante (Pennisetum purpureum, Schum.) com adição de 0%; 3,5%; 7%; 10,% e 14% do subproduto do pseudofruto do caju (Anacardium occidentale, L.) desidratado (subproduto da agroindústria do suco de caju). Utilizou-se o delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com quatro repetições. Após 65 dias, os silos foram abertos e coletadas amostras para determinação dos teores de matéria seca (MS), proteína bruta (PB), fibra em detergente neutro (FDN), fibra em detergente ácido (FDA), hemicelulose (HCEL), celulose (CEL), lignina (LIG), energia bruta (EB), cinzas, nitrogênio insolúvel em detergente neutro (NIDN) e nitrogênio insolúvel em detergente ácido (NIDA). Para avaliar as características fermentativas das silagens, determinaram-se os valores de pH e os teores de nitrogênio amoniacal (% do nitrogênio total) e dos ácidos lático, acético, butírico e propiônico. A adição do subproduto do pseudofruto do caju desidratado (SPCD) acarretou o aumento dos teores de MS, PB, FDA, LIG, NIDN e NIDA. Para os parâmetros fermentativos, observou-se redução dos valores de pH, porém não se registrou influência dos níveis de adição do SPCD sobre os teores de N-NH3/NT e ácidos orgânicos. Conclui-se que o subproduto do pseudofruto do caju desidratado pode ser ensilado com o capim-elefante, sem comprometer as características fermentativas das silagens de capim-elefante. Porém, o aumento nos componentes da parede celular e do NIDA pode comprometer o valor nutri-cional do ensilado final. Palavras-chaves: Gramínea tropical, subprodutos do caju, valor nutritivo.

Sixteen lambs fed with 0%, 15%, 30% or 45% of tomato by product (TBP) in the diet were used in order to evaluate the intake (I) and apparent digestibility (AD) of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fi-ber (ADF) in a randomized design. There were no diffe-rences in DM-I related to live weight (3,6%) and metabo-lic weight (91,7g/kg0,75) among the treatments. The 30% TBP diet showed higher OM-AD. It was found a linear effect for ADF-I and a quadratic response for NDF-I. The regression analysis revealed a negative effect of TBP in a CP-AD. For the others parameters there were no differen-ces among treatments. It was concluded that the TBP has good AD of all analyzed fractions and that proportions up to 45% TBP in lamb’s diet do not reduce the intake, howe-ver higher digestibility was found with 30% of inclusion.KEY-WORDS: Apparent digestibility, intake, tomato by-product. Avaliaram-se os consumos (Co) e as digestibilida-des aparentes (DA) da matéria seca (MS), matéria orgâni-ca (MO), proteína bruta (PB), fibra em detergente neutro (FDN) e fibra em detergente ácido (FDA) em ovinos ali-mentados com 0%, 15%, 30% ou 45% de resíduo indus-trial de tomate (RIT) em um delineamento inteiramente casualizado. Os tratamentos não apresentaram diferença para o Co-MS em relação ao peso vivo (3,6%) e ao peso metabólico (91,7 g/kg0,75). A dieta contendo 30% de RIT apresentou maior digestibilidade DA-MO em relação às demais. Verificou-se que para o Co-FDA existe relação li-near positiva e para FDN relação quadrática. A análise de regressão demonstrou efeito negativo da adição do resí-duo sobre a DA-PB. Para os demais parâmetros não foram verificadas diferenças entre os tratamentos. Concluiu-se que o RIT apresentou boa DA de todas as frações analisa-das, sendo que a utilização de até 45% de RIT na dieta de ovinos não prejudicou o consumo, embora melhor digesti-bilidade tenha sido atingida com 30% de inclusão.PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Consumo, digestibilidade aparente, resíduo industrial de tomate.

O presente estudo foi desenvolvido para avaliar a influência da inclusão de diferentes níveis do coproduto do processamento do caju (Anacardium occidentale L.) sobre a concentração de nitrogênio amoniacal (N-NH3) em mg/100 mL, pH e concentrações molares de ácidos graxos voláteis (AGVs) do líquido ruminal, em ovinos recebendo dietas experimentais isofibrosas e isoproteicas. Distribuíram-se vinte ovinos machos, inteiros em quatro tratamentos de inclusão do coproduto de caju (zero %; 19%; 38%; 52%), segundo delineamento em blocos ao acaso, em esquema de parcelas subdivididas, em que as parcelas eram as dietas e as subparcelas os tempos de colheita (zero, duas, cinco, oito horas pós-prandial) com cinco repetições. O pH manteve-se dentro dos padrões citados na literatura, mesmo diante de elevadas inclusões de coproduto de caju. Os tratamentos com zero % e 52% apresentaram as maiores concentrações de N-NH3. A proporção molar dos AGVs no líquido ruminal dos ovinos alimentados com rações com o coproduto de caju foi típica de dietas ricas em volumosos. A relação acetato:propionato não foi afetada pela inclusão do coderivado de caju. A inclusão do coproduto de caju em até 19 % na ração apresentou os melhores resultados no que diz respeito aos parâmetros analisados neste trabalho. PALAVRAS-CHAVES: Ácidos graxos voláteis, nitrogênio amoniacal, Ovis aries, pH, parâmetros ruminais, ruminantes.

Realizou-se a avaliação do consumo de alimentos e da produção de leite de vacas mestiças pastejando piquetes de capim Napier (Pennisetum purpureum) (NAP), Brachiaria decumbens (BRA) e Colonião (Pannicum maximum) (COL) e suplementadas com quatro kg de concentrado em um esquema de quadrado latino (3x3) duplo. Calcularam-se a produção fecal e o consumo de alimentos com o auxílio do Cr2O3 e da digestibilidade in vitro. O consumo diário de MS foi semelhante entre as forragens (18kg/vaca), as quais representaram 2,72%; 2,84% e 2,96% do p.v. para o NAP, BRACH e COL, respectivamente. O consumo por unidade de tamanho metabólico (g MS/kg0,75) foi de 130 para o NAP, 135 para a BRACH e 145 para o COL. A ingestão de BRACH resultou em menor produção de leite (14,4Kg) em comparação ao NAP (15,5kg) e COL (16,1kg). Verificou-se que as espécies forrageiras não influíram na composição do leite das vacas, o qual apresentou 4,03% de gordura, 2,46% de proteína e 12,42% de extrato seco total. Concluiu-se que os capins NAP, BRACH e COL apresentam-se como boas alternativas para a produção de leite a pasto. PALAVRAS-CHAVES: Brachiaria decumbens, colonião, Pannicum maximum, Napier, Pennisetum purpureum

Avaliou-se a digestibilidade in vitro (DIV) e in situ

O trabalho foi desenvolvido com o objetivo de se avaliar o valor nutritivo das silagens de capim-elefante (Pennisetum purpureum, Schum.) com adição de 0%; 3,5%; 7%; 10,% e 14% do subproduto do pseudofruto do caju (Anacardium occidentale, L.) desidratado (subproduto da agroindústria do suco de caju). Utilizou-se o delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com quatro repetições. Após 65 dias, os silos foram abertos e coletadas amostras para determinação dos teores de matéria seca (MS), proteína bruta (PB), fibra em detergente neutro (FDN), fibra em detergente ácido (FDA), hemicelulose (HCEL), celulose (CEL), lignina (LIG), energia bruta (EB), cinzas, nitrogênio insolúvel em detergente neutro (NIDN) e nitrogênio insolúvel em detergente ácido (NIDA). Para avaliar as características fermentativas das silagens, determinaram-se os valores de pH e os teores de nitrogênio amoniacal (% do nitrogênio total) e dos ácidos lático, acético, butírico e propiônico. A adição do subproduto do pseudofruto do caju desidratado (SPCD) acarretou o aumento dos teores de MS, PB, FDA, LIG, NIDN e NIDA. Para os parâmetros fermentativos, observou-se redução dos valores de pH, porém não se registrou influência dos níveis de adição do SPCD sobre os teores de N-NH3/NT e ácidos orgânicos. Conclui-se que o subproduto do pseudofruto do caju desidratado pode ser ensilado com o capim-elefante, sem comprometer as características fermentativas das silagens de capim-elefante. Porém, o aumento nos componentes da parede celular e do NIDA pode comprometer o valor nutri-cional do ensilado final. Palavras-chaves: Gramínea tropical, subprodutos do caju, valor nutritivo.

The three-step procedure was used to evaluate ruminal degradable and undegradable protein of soybean meal (SM), sorghum grain (SG), cottonseed (CT), corn silage (CS) and tomato byproduct (TBP). Feeds were initially incubated in rumen of fistulated steers for 16 h. After that, 15mg of nitrogen were submitted to acid pepsin, for one hour, and alkaline pepsin for 24 h. The SM and CT showed 97 and 93% total protein digestibility, which is the major portion available in the rumen (94 and 92% respectively). The SG protein showed the lowest digestibility (73%) followed by TBP and CS that had 72 and 73% total protein digestibility. It was concluded that SM and CT showed high protein digestibility, however the most portion was degraded in the rumen and that besides the high lignin proportion, the TBP was the one which supplied more available intestinal protein.Avaliaram-se as proporções de proteína degradável e não-degradável no rúmen do farelo de soja (FS), sorgo grão (SG), caroço de algodão (CA), silagem de milho (SM) e do resíduo industrial de tomate (RIT) pelo método das três etapas. Os alimentos foram inicialmente incubados por 16h no rúmen de bovinos fistulados. Posteriormente, uma quantidade que continha 15mg de nitrogênio foi submetida à digestão em pepsina ácida por uma hora e em pancreatina alcalina por 24h. O FS e o CA apresentaram 97 e 93% de digestibilidade da PB, estando a maior parte desse nitrogênio disponível no rúmen (94 e 92% respectivamente). A proteína do SG apresentou o menor valor de digestibilidade (64%), sendo seguida pelo RIT e pela SM, que apresentaram 72 e 73% de proteína total digestível. Concluiuse que o FS e o CA apresentaram elevada digestibilidade da proteína, entretanto, a maior parte do desaparecimento ocorreu no rúmen. Apesar da elevada proporção de proteína indigestível, o RIT foi o alimento que mais disponibilizou proteína para ser digerida no intestino.

Avaliaram-se os consumos (Co) e as digestibilida-des aparentes (DA) da matéria seca (MS), matéria orgâni-ca (MO), proteína bruta (PB), fibra em detergente neutro (FDN) e fibra em detergente ácido (FDA) em ovinos ali-mentados com 0%, 15%, 30% ou 45% de resíduo indus-trial de tomate (RIT) em um delineamento inteiramente casualizado. Os tratamentos não apresentaram diferença para o Co-MS em relação ao peso vivo (3,6%) e ao peso metabólico (91,7 g/kg0,75). A dieta contendo 30% de RIT apresentou maior digestibilidade DA-MO em relação às demais. Verificou-se que para o Co-FDA existe relação li-near positiva e para FDN relação quadrática. A análise de regressão demonstrou efeito negativo da adição do resí-duo sobre a DA-PB. Para os demais parâmetros não foram verificadas diferenças entre os tratamentos. Concluiu-se que o RIT apresentou boa DA de todas as frações analisa-das, sendo que a utilização de até 45% de RIT na dieta de ovinos não prejudicou o consumo, embora melhor digesti-bilidade tenha sido atingida com 30% de inclusão. PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Consumo, digestibilidade aparente, resíduo industrial de tomate.

Background: Limited information exists regarding health care workers' (HCWs) perceptions about infection prevention and control (IPC) in Latin America., Methods: We conducted an electronic voluntary anonymous survey to assess HCWs' perceptions toward IPC in 30 hospitals in Latin America during August to September 2022. Nurses, physicians, and environmental cleaning (EVC) staff were prioritized for recruitment., Results: Overall, 1,340 HCWs completed the survey. Of these, 28% were physicians, 49% nurses, 8% EVC staff, and 15% had "other" roles. Self-compliance with hand hygiene and prevention bundles was perceived to be high by 95% and 89% of respondents, respectively; however, ratings were lower when asked about compliance by their peers (reported as high by 81% and 75%, respectively). Regular training on IPC and access to health care-associated infections (HAI) rates were more limited among physicians than other HCWs (eg, 87% of EVC staff and 45% of physicians reported training upon hiring and thereafter, 60% of nurses and 51% of physicians reported regular access to HAI rate reports)., Conclusions: We identified several opportunities to strengthen IPC practices in Latin American hospitals, including improving HCW education and training on IPC and their awareness of HAI rates and compliance with prevention measures., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Background: Infection prevention and control (IPC) programs are essential to prevent and control the spread of multidrug-resistant organisms in healthcare facilities (HCFs). The current implementation of these programs in Latin America remains largely unknown., Methods: We conducted a mixed-methods evaluation of IPC program implementation in HCFs from Guatemala, Panama, Ecuador, and Argentina, March-July 2022. We used the World Health Organization (WHO) IPC Assessment Framework (IPCAF) survey, a previously validated structured questionnaire with an associated scoring system that evaluates the eight core components of IPC (IPC program; IPC guidelines; IPC education and training; healthcare-associated infection [HAI] surveillance; multimodal strategies; monitoring and audit of IPC practices and feedback; workload, staffing, and bed occupancy; and the built environment and materials and equipment for IPC). Each section generates a score 0-100. According to the final score, the HCF IPC program implementation is categorized into four levels: inadequate (0-200), basic (201-400), intermediate (401-600), or advanced (601-800). Additionally, we conducted semi-structured interviews among IPC personnel and microbiologists using the Systems Engineering Initiative for Patient Safety model to evaluate barriers and facilitators for IPC program implementation. We performed directed content analysis of interview transcripts to identify themes that focused on barriers and facilitators of IPC program implementation which are summarized descriptively., Results: Thirty-seven HCFs (15 for-profit and 22 non-profit) completed the IPCAF survey. The overall median score was 614 (IQR 569, 693) which corresponded to an "advanced" level of IPC implementation (32% [7/22] non-profit vs. 93% [14/15] for-profit HCFs in this category). The lowest scores were in workload, staffing and bed occupancy followed by IPC training and multimodal strategies. Forty individuals from 16 HCFs were interviewed. They perceived inadequate staffing and technical resources, limited leadership support, and cultural determinants as major barriers to effective IPC guideline implementation, while external accreditation and technical support from public health authorities were perceived as facilitators., Conclusions: Efforts to strengthen IPC activities in Latin American HCFs should focus on improving support from hospital leadership and public health authorities to ensure better resource allocation, promoting safety culture, and improving training in quality improvement., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: The objective of this study was to identify antibiotic stewardship (AS) opportunities in Latin American medical-surgical intensive care units (MS-ICUs) and general wards (Gral-wards)., Methods: We conducted serial cross-sectional point prevalence surveys in MS-ICUs and Gral-wards in 41 Latin American hospitals between March 2022 and February 2023. Patients >18 years of age in the units of interest were evaluated for antimicrobial use (AU) monthly (MS-ICUs) or quarterly (Gral-wards). Antimicrobial data were collected using a standardized form by the local AS teams and submitted to the coordinating team for analysis., Results: We evaluated AU in 5780 MS-ICU and 7726 Gral-ward patients. The hospitals' median bed size (interquartile range) was 179 (125-330), and 52% were nonprofit. The aggregate AU prevalence was 53.5% in MS-ICUs and 25.5% in Gral-wards. Most (88%) antimicrobials were prescribed to treat infections, 7% for surgical prophylaxis and 5% for medical prophylaxis. Health care-associated infections led to 63% of MS-ICU and 38% of Gral-ward AU. Carbapenems, piperacillin-tazobactam, intravenous (IV) vancomycin, and ampicillin-sulbactam represented 50% of all AU to treat infections. A minority of IV vancomycin targeted therapy was associated with documented methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection or therapeutic drug monitoring. In both units, 17% of antibiotics prescribed as targeted therapy represented de-escalation, while 24% and 15% in MS-ICUs and Gral-wards, respectively, represented an escalation of therapy. In Gral-wards, 32% of antibiotics were used without a microbiologic culture ordered. Half of surgical prophylaxis antibiotics were prescribed after the first 24 hours., Conclusions: Based on this cohort, areas to improve AU in Latin American hospitals include antibiotic selection, de-escalation, duration of therapy, and dosing strategies., Competing Interests: Potential conflicts of interest. The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Infectious Diseases Society of America.)

Background: The burden of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Latin America is high. Little is known about healthcare workers' (HCWs) knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of antimicrobial stewardship (AS), AMR, and antibiotic use (AU) in the region., Methods: HCWs from 42 hospitals from 5 Latin American countries were invited to take an electronic, voluntary, anonymous survey regarding knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of AS, AMR, and AU between March-April 2023., Findings: Overall, 996 HCWs completed the survey (52% physicians, 32% nurses, 11% pharmacists, 3% microbiologists, and 2% "other"). More than 90% of respondents indicated optimizing AU was a priority at their healthcare facility (HCF), 69% stated the importance of AS was communicated at their HCF, and 23% were unfamiliar with the term "antibiotic stewardship". Most (> 95%) respondents acknowledged that appropriate AU can reduce AMR; however, few thought AU (< 30%) or AMR (< 50%) were a problem in their HCF. Lack of access to antibiogram and to locally endorsed guidelines was reported by 51% and 34% of HCWs, respectively. Among prescribers, 53% did not consider non-physicians' opinions to make antibiotic-related decisions, 22% reported not receiving education on how to select antibiotics based on culture results and 60% stated patients and families influence their antibiotic decisions., Conclusions: Although HCWs perceived improving AU as a priority, they did not perceive AU or AMR as a problem in their HCF. AS opportunities include improved access to guidelines, access to AMR/AU data, teamwork, and education on AS for HCWs and patients and families., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is currently the main blood-borne viral infection. One of the main obstacles to achieving its control in Argentina is related to difficulties in accessing the diagnosis and timely treatment of infected people. We carried out this study with the aim of characterizing the HCV-infected patients who started treatment with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) and to describe the experience related to treatment. The medical records of 82 patients, 44 (53.7%) male, 37 (45.1%) female, and one (1.2%) transgender, were selected. The mean age was 49 years. We report a frequency of cirrhosis, 39%, in 32 patients, coinfection with HIV in 48 (58.5%) and with HBV in 27 (32.9%). In 52 patients (63.4%), no risk factor clearly associated with infection was observed. All completed the therapy, of them 72 (87.8%) carried out the control to confirm sustained viral response (SVR), that attained 98.6%. We conclude that universal testing should be implemented over testing based on a risk approach, and that a simplified and decentralized care criterion should be promoted, reserving specialized care for patients with decompensated cirrhosis and liver cancer.

We present 2 patients born in Argentina who were newly diagnosed with advanced HIV disease and Chagas disease reactivation with central nervous system involvement. The patients received concurrent benznidazole treatment and antiretroviral therapy, showing good response. Improvement in morbidity and mortality due to early treatment makes this treatment appropriate for coinfected patients., (© The Author(s) 2019. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Infectious Diseases Society of America. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

In order to evaluate the frequency of a late clinical stage in HIV infected patients at onset of antiretroviral therapy (LART) and to identify possible associated factors, we performed a retrospective analysis of data reported in two prospective cohorts of HIV infected patients who started antiretroviral therapy for the first time between 2005 and 2009. Medical records of 265 patients -123 women (46.6%) and 141 men, median age 37.7 years old- were analyzed. LART was observed in 132 cases (50%), out of them 102 (77.2%) were associated to late diagnosis of HIV infection and 30 (22.8%) to patients that had not been retained in HIV care. The median of CD4 was 120 cells/ml and that of viral load 58 038 copies/ml. CD4 cells count was below 200 cells/ml in 174 patients (71.3%). There was a higher incidence of LART in men than in women (59.8% and 42.2% respectively). Diagnosis in women took place during pregnancy control in 25:2% of the cases. High alcohol consumption (p 0.006), single hood (p 0.04) and level of education lower than secondary (p 0.008) were associated to LART at bivariate analysis. Male sex (p 0.003) was the only associated factor both in bivariate and multivariate analysis. Our data reinforce the need of expanding HIV testing and should assist programs to define actions promoting early entry in HIV care.

In order to evaluate the incidence rate and possible risk factors associated with AIDS-related malignancies and infections (ARMI) we performed data analysis of clinical charts of HIV patients in two hospital cohorts, that started high activity antiretroviral therapy (HAART) between July 2003 and October 2007. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and Azithromycin prophylaxis was provided according to current guidelines. We evaluated development of ARMI six months after-starting HAART and its association with clinical and epidemiological variables. Of 235 patients analyzed -118 women (50.2%) and 117 men (49.8%)- 11 presented ARMI: 3 pulmonary TB and 3 lymph nodes TB cases, 3 cases with meningeal Cryptococcus, one Chagas's disease presenting brain mass and one with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. ARMI incidence: 4.7%. A CD4 cell count < 100/150 was associated with risk of developing ARMI. The mean CD4 cell count was 73 in patients who developed ARMI and 143 in those who did not. No association was found with the other analyzed variables. In the CD4 cell count < 150 group one out of 4 patients with reactive serology presented Chagas's disease causing brain mass; none of the 46 patients with reactive serology presented toxoplasmosis encephalitis. The incidence rate of ARMI was 4.7%. TB in first place and cryptococcosis in second were the AIDS events more frequently observed. A low CD4 cell count was the only observed risk factor statistically associated with development of ARMI. The role of prophylaxis in this population should be re-evaluated.

With the aim of evaluating gender differences in one of the poorest districts of Buenos Aires, we reviewed epidemiological and clinical data of newly-diagnosed HIV patients at the Diego Paroissien Hospital between 1998 and 2005.We analyzed 524 clinical charts, 329 (62.8%) of which were from the 1998 to 2002 period and 195 (37.2%) from 2003 to 2005. Women accounted for 241 (46%) of the patients. The dominant mode of transmission was sexual intercourse in women and intravenous drug-use in men. At the time of diagnosis, women were at a significantly lower clinical stage, were younger, and had higher CD4 counts and lower viral loads. No gender differences were found in the rates of continued clinical care or continued antiretroviral therapy at one year follow-up. Comparing the periods 1998 to 2002 and 2003 to 2005, there was a statistically significant increase in diagnoses made during the pregnancy screening in women, in sexual transmission as the primary route of HIV infection, in the frequency of patients (both men and women) who had continued clinical care at one year follow-up, and a decreasing of intravenous drug-use in both sexes.The observed gender differences in the 2003-2005 period persisted even when those women who were diagnosed during their pregnancy screening were excluded from the analysis.

Objective: To report emerging data on the use of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in Argentina by assessing patterns of HAART access and late vs early treatment initiation in a population-based cohort of adults infected with HIV type-1., Design: The Prospective Study on the Use and Monitoring of Antiretroviral Therapy (PUMA) is a study of 883 HIV-positive individuals enrolled in the Argentinean drug treatment program. Individuals were 16 years of age and older and were recruited from 10 clinics across Argentina., Methods: Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were examined using contingency tables (Pearson chi-square test and Fisher exact test) for categoric variables and Wilcoxon rank-sum test for continuous variables. To analyze time to initiation of HAART we used Kaplan-Meier methods and Cox regression., Results: Patients who initiated HAART were more likely to be older, have an AIDS-defining illness, be an injection drug user (IDU), have a lower median CD4 cell count, have a higher median viral load, and be less likely to be men who have sex with men (MSM). In multivariate analysis, AIDS-defining illness and plasma viral load were significantly associated with time to starting therapy. Patients who received late access were more likely to be diagnosed with AIDS and have higher median plasma viral loads than those receiving early access., Conclusion: Our results indicate that despite free availability of treatment, monitoring, and care in Argentina, a significant proportion of men and women are accessing HAART late in the course of HIV disease. Further characterization of the HIV-positive population will allow for a more comprehensive evaluation of the impact of HAART within the Argentinean drug treatment program.

Occupational exposure to Hepatitis C virus is an area of growing concern due to a lack of prophylaxis and limited knowledge regarding prevalence in hospital environment. Between 1999 and 2003, a total of 128 occupational exposures to this virus were registered in Diego Paroissien Hospital, eight of which led to hepatitis (6.3%) and one case to serum conversion (0.8%). Currently there is no preventive therapy and great interest is focused on acute infection therapy the effectiveness of which is still controversial. This study reinforces the fact that adherence to the Universal Precautions is still the most important preventive measure for health care workers, and the most cost beneficial.

A total of 148 patients with a diagnosis of HIV infection were studied in order to evaluate the incidence of meningeal cryptococcosis, including epidemic, immunologic and diagnostic characteristics. The diagnosis of cryptococcosis was carried out by direct examination with India ink and culture in Sabouraud agar of CSF in 28 patients (93.3%) and by blood cultures (lysis-centrifugation) in 2 patients (6.6%). All the isolated strains were identified as Cryptococcus neoformans. The incidence was 20.3% (30 patients). The preponderant risk behavior was endovenous drug addiction, and it was observed in 18 patients (60%). The symptomatology that prevailed was headache (87%). The median age was 28 years. At diagnosis, the immunologic impairment was severe (CD4+ lymphocyte count < 200) in 90% of patients. We found that 86.7% of patients had not completed their primary studies and only 13.3% had completed secondary studies. Although the acute mortality was high (36.7%), it was observed that all the patients who survived (24%) had been treated with anti-retroviral drugs.