Effects of Dietary Supplementation of Stimbiotics to Sows on Lactation Performance, Immune Function, and Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Capacities during Late Gestation and Lactation

Stimbiotic supplementation may provide an innovative feed additive solution to accelerate the proliferation of beneficial fiber-degrading bacteria in the distal intestine and the utilization of dietary fiber. Optimal utilization of dietary fiber has multiple benefits for gut health and nutrient utilization. This study was conducted to evaluate the late gestation and lactation performance, the plasma, colostrum, and milk immunoglobulin (IgA, IgG, and IgM) concentrations, and the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant biomarkers in plasma of sows fed with or without a stimbiotic during the late gestation and lactation phase. A total of 40 sows were allocated to two treatment groups: control (CT) with no supplementation or 100 mg/kg stimbiotic (VP), with 20 sows per treatment. Sows were fed the treatment diets from d 85 of gestation to d 28 of lactation. In the results, the average daily weight gain of piglets during lactation was greater from sows fed in the VP group compared to that in the CT group (p < 0.05). The plasma concentrations of IgM at farrowing and IgG at weaning of the sows fed the diet with the stimbiotic supplementation were much higher than those in the CT sows (p < 0.05), respectively. In addition, the dietary stimbiotic increased the concentrations of IgM in the colostrum and of IgA and IgM in the milk at d 14 of lactation (p < 0.05). Plasma concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA) on d 0 and d 28 of lactation tended to be lower in sows fed the VP diets compared with those of the sows fed the CT diets. Thus, our study indicated that stimbiotic supplementation could improve the daily weight gain of piglets and the immune function of sows in lactation.

Stimbiotics Supplementation Promotes Growth Performance by Improving Plasma Immunoglobulin and IGF-1 Levels and Regulating Gut Microbiota Composition in Weaned Piglets

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with stimbiotics (STB) on growth performance, diarrhoea incidence, plasma antioxidant capacity, immunoglobulin concentration and hormone levels, and faecal microorganisms in weaned piglets. Compared with the control (CT) group, the addition of STB improved the body weight (BW) of piglets on days 28 and 42 (p < 0.05) and increased daily weight gain and daily feed intake from days 14–28 and throughout the trial period (p < 0.05). Correspondingly, the plasma insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) level on day 42 was significantly improved by STB (p < 0.05). VistaPros (VP) group levels of immunoglobulin (Ig) A and G were significantly higher on days 14 and 42 (p < 0.05) than the CT group levels. In addition, the activity of plasma catalase tended to be increased on day 14 (p = 0.053) in the VP group, as for superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and malondialdehyde, STB did not significantly affect their levels (p > 0.05). Moreover, dietary STB increased the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria, including norank_f_Muribaculaceae, Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group, Parabacteroides, and unclassified_f__Oscillospiraceae. In summary, STB improved the immunity and IGF-1 levels in the plasma of weaned piglets and consequently promoted the growth performance of weaned piglets.

PSVIII-2 Evaluation of the Effects of a Stimbiotic and Fiber Source on Nursery Pig Performance

The objective was to evaluate the effects of feeding a stimbiotic, Signis (AB Vista), and fiber source, sugar beet pulp or wheat bran, on nursery performance. Pigs (n = 480; 5.87±1.10 kg) were assigned to treatments in a 2 x 3 factorial arrangement of Stimbiotic (0 or 100 mg/kg) and Fiber Source (control, sugar beet pulp, or wheat bran). For phase 1, wheat bran and sugar beet pulp were added at 6.0% and 3.5%, respectively. For phase 2, wheat bran and sugar beet pulp were added at 10% and 6.0%, respectively. There were 8 pens containing 10 pigs per treatment group. A 2-phase feeding program lasting 3 weeks each was used. Performance was monitored for 6 weeks. Fecal scores were recorded, and fecal samples were collected to determine apparent total tract nutrient (ATTD) digestibility. Full value pigs (FVP) were determined by subtracting mortality and removals from total number placed. Pen gain was calculated as difference of sum of BW at d 42 minus sum of BW at d 0. Data were analyzed by ANOVA using the fit model platform in JMP. Significance was accepted at P ≤ 0.05 and trends at P &lt; 0.10. Phases 1 and 2 ADG, ADFI, gain:feed or d42 BW did not differ between treatment groups. There were effects of Stimbiotic and Fiber Source on FVP as there were increased FVP (P &lt; 0.05) with Stimbiotic and decreased FVP (P &lt; 0.05) for pigs fed wheat bran. Pen gain tended to increase (P = 0.06) in pigs fed Stimbiotic and was decreased (P &lt; 0.05) for pigs fed wheat bran. Mean fecal scores were not affected by Fiber Source, but tended (P = 0.07) to be reduced by Stimbiotic. Stimbiotic tended (P ≤ 0.09) to increase ATTD of dry matter and energy. In conclusion, feeding a stimbiotic increased FVP, while feeding wheat bran decreased FVP. Further research is needed to explore the effects of fiber source in nursery diets and how it interacts with Stimbiotic.

PSVI-3 Effect of Live Yeast Supplementation on Redox Potential, Gastrointestinal Microbiota, and Short-Chain Fatty Acids in Piglets

The post-weaning period is a stressful process for piglets with compromised gut health, increasing susceptibility to diarrhea and infection. Oxygen concentration in the gut affects microbiome and fermentation profile. Live yeasts have been used to promote gut health and performance of young animals. An experiment was carried out to determine the influence of live yeast on gut conditions including redox potential, microbial composition, and short chain fatty acid (SCFA) production of piglets. Sixteen Pietrain *(Landrace*Large White) piglets were distributed into blocks by live weight and allocated at 4 per pen for a 28-d trial. Each block was composed by a combination of the 2 dietary treatments corresponding to a control diet and a diet supplemented with live yeast (1 kg/tonne Vistacell, AB Vista). At the end of trial, piglets were euthanized to measure kinetics of redox potential (Eh) and pH from caecum until 35 min post-mortem. Then, digesta samples from stomach, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, caecum, and rectum were collected for microbial composition and SCFA production. Data were analyzed using GLM procedure of SAS 9.4 and means compared with a Student-Newman-Keuls test. Redox potential decreased with time (P &lt; 0.001) until stabilizing after 20 min, and a clear difference was observed between treatments (P &lt; 0.001). Supplemented live yeast survives throughout gastrointestinal tract and modifies microbial populations enhancing lactic acid bacteria (P &lt; 0.001) while reducing enterobacteria (P &lt; 0.001) or eliminating fungi (P &lt; 0.001). The production of SCFA from caecum digesta was 3-fold higher than in ileum with significantly different molar proportion of individual SCFA. Lactic, formic, and acetic acids predominate on ileum (&gt; 93%) whereas acetic, propionic, and butyric dominate on caecum digesta (&gt; 90%). Nevertheless, no differences were observed due to dietary treatments. In conclusion, live yeast supplementation of diets modifies redox conditions prevailing in the gut modifying microbial populations and helping piglets to overcome post-weaning growth check.

Sublingual Bacterial Vaccination Reduces Recurrent Infections in Patients With Autoimmune Diseases Under Immunosuppressant Treatment

Introduction

Conventional or biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are the mainstay of treatment for systemic autoimmune disease (SAD). Infectious complications are a major concern in their use.

Objective

To evaluate the clinical benefit of sublingual mucosal polybacterial vaccines (MV130 and MV140), used to prevent recurrent respiratory and urinary tract infections, in patients with SAD and secondary recurrent infections following conventional or biologic DMARDs.

Methods

An observational study in SAD patients with recurrent respiratory tract infections (RRTI) and/or recurrent urinary tract infections (RUTI) was carried out. All patients underwent mucosal (sublingual) vaccination with MV130 for RRTI or with MV140 for RUTI daily for 3 months. Clinical evaluation was assessed during 12 months of follow-up after the first dose, i.e., 3 months under treatment and 9 months once discontinued, and compared with the previous year.

Results

Forty-one out of 55 patients completed 1-year follow-up. All patients were on either conventional or biologic DMARDs. A significant decrease in the frequency of RUTI (p<0.001), lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) (p=0.009) and upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) (p=0.006) at 12-mo with respect to the previous year was observed. Antibiotic prescriptions and unscheduled medical visits decreased significantly (p<0.020) in all groups. Hospitalization rate also declined in patients with RRTI (p=0.019). The clinical benefit demonstrated was concomitant to a significant increase in both anti-S. pneumoniae IgA and IgG antibodies following MV130 vaccination.

Conclusions

Sublingual polybacterial vaccines prevent recurrent infections in patients with SAD under treatment with immunosuppressant therapies, supporting a broad non-specific anti-infectious effect in these patients.

PSIII-19 The Effect of Xylanase on Finisher Pig Performance

The breakdown of long chain arabinoxylans into smaller chain xylo-oligomers by the use of xylanase results in a shift towards fiber utilizing bacteria resulting in production of small chain fatty acids and improved pig performance. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of xylanase (Econase XT; AB Vista) on finisher pig performance. A total of 598 pigs; (37.4 ± 1.0 kg) were fed a single-phase diet for 60 days. Pigs were assigned to two treatments; 0 (CTL) or 16,000 BXU/kg of xylanase (XYL) with 12 pen replicates and 24/25 pigs (mixed sex; gilts and boars) per treatment. The diet was based on wheat, barley, soybean meal, rapeseed meal, and wheat midds; SID Lys: 0.88%, NDF: 14.7%, and NE: 2090 kcal/kg. Average daily gain (ADG), feed intake (ADFI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were evaluated in phase 1 (0-26d), phase 2 (26-60d) and overall (0-60d). Liveability was measured per treatment. Data were analysed using JMP 12 using the standard least square platform and ANOVA was performed to determine significance at P &lt; 0.05. The model included initial BW as a covariant. The results indicated that there was no effect of xylanase on liveweight, ADG or ADFI at any phase of the finisher period. The use of xylanase improved FCR in phase 2 (2.53 v 2.60: P &lt; 0.05) and overall (2.44 v 2.49 P=0.03). No differences were seen in liveability (CTL; 96%; XYL 98%; P = 0.29). It can be concluded that the use of xylanase can be used in finisher feeds to improve FCR which is linked with greater energy utilisation that has been associated with greater fiber breakdown through xylanase use.

PSIII-20 Inclusion of a Live Yeast to Mixed Cereal Diets Improves Growth Performance of Nursery Pigs

As an alternative to antibiotic growth promoters, live yeast supplementation has proven useful in reducing weaning stress and improving health and performance of piglets. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of a high concentrated live yeast product (20 billion CFU/g) supplemented in post-weaning piglet diets without antibiotics. A total of 144 pigs Pietrain × [LW×Landrace] (average initial BW = 8.55 ± 1.5 kg) weaned at 28 days of life were used for a 6-week growth study to determine post-weaning performance. Pigs were assigned to 2 treatments; 0 (Control group; CT) and 1 g of live yeast/kg (Yeast Supplemented group; YS) feed to 12 replicate pens of 6 pigs (3 barrows; 3 gilts). Average daily gain (ADG), feed intake (ADFI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were evaluated in pre-starter (days 0–14), starter (days 14–42) and in the whole nursery (days 0–42) periods. Data were analysed with ANOVA using PROC MIXED of SAS according to the completely randomized design. The model included initial BW as a covariant. Differences were deemed statistically significant when P ≤ 0.050 using a one tailed t-test. Live yeast supplementation improved ADG in starter (5.8%; P = 0.034) and in the whole nursery periods (7.0%; P = 0.045) compared with the CT group. Consequently, final BW was also higher in supplemented animals than in the CT (4.5%; P = 0.034). Differences in ADG were associated with differences in ADFI, higher in YS than in the CT group, both in starter (6.4%; P = 0.023) and in the whole nursery period (6.5%; P = 0.030). No differences were observed for FCR, mortality rate, and health incidences between dietary treatment groups. Therefore, supplementation of a live yeast to post-weaned piglets improved growth performance, confirming this product as an alternative to reduce antibiotic usage in nursery piglets.

248 Impact of Adding a Stimbiotic or Sugar Beet Pulp to Nursery Pig Diets on Growth Performance and Individual Injections

Utilizing different dietary fiber sources has been studied in piglets to help mitigate post-weaning diarrhea and improve post-weaning performance. An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of adding sugar beet pulp or a stimbiotic (Signis; AB Vista) on nursery pig performance. Barrows (n = 216; average initial BW = 5.1kg) were randomly allotted to one of three dietary treatments and fed a 4 phase feeding program; 1) Control (Con), Insoluble/Soluble fibre ratio (I/S), P1; 4.47, P2; 5.84, P3; 5.82, P4; 7.08. 2) High Soluble (HS) with sugar beet pulp added at 5% (P1 and P2) and 2.5% (P3 and P4) giving the following I/S ratio; P1; 2.63, P2; 2.91, P3; 5.02 and P4; 5.42. 3) Control plus stimbiotic added at 100 g/t (SIG). Pen weight and feed disappearance were recorded weekly to calculate ADG, ADFI, and G:F. Fecal score was visually ranked by pen daily from wean to 35 days. Blanket water medications were not provided. Instead, individual pigs that needed treatment were identified and injected with individual antibiotic interventions, and the number of interventions per pig was recorded. Performance data were submitted to ANOVA using JMP with mean separation by Tukey test and a contingency analysis was used to compare antibiotic injections. At day 14, pigs had a Rotavirus A and B challenge. Addition of HS or SIG reduced (P &lt; 0.05) individual antibiotic treatments by 56 and 32% compared to the CON, respectively. No differences were observed in scour scores or overall ADG. Overall intake was greater (P &lt; 0.01) in HS (0.560 kg) than CON (0.491 kg) or SIG (0.492 kg). Pigs fed SIG (0.671) had a better (P = 0.011) G:F over SBP (0.602), with CON (0.649) being intermediate. In conclusion, HS increased intake where stimbiotic improved feed efficiency, and both decreased antibiotic treatments.

Stimbiotic supplementation improved performance and reduced inflammatory response via stimulating fiber fermenting microbiome in weaner pigs housed in a poor sanitary environment and fed an antibiotic-free low zinc oxide diet

This study investigated whether the inclusion of a stimbiotic (STB) can improve performance, influence intestinal microbiota and fermentation activity, and reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines in piglets fed a low zinc oxide diet without antimicrobial growth promotors compared to fructo-oligosaccharide (FOS) and mannan-oligosaccharide (MOS) when housed either in good sanitary (GS) or poor sanitary (PS) environments. One hundred forty-four male pigs (28-day-old) were sorted by initial body weight (BW) and allocated to one of six experimental treatments: 1) GS environment without any additive (GS-CTR); 2) GS environment with 0.01% stimbiotic (GS-STB); 3) PS environment (without cleaning and disinfection of a previously populated room) without any additive (PS-CTR); 4) PS environment with 0.01% STB (PS-STB); 5) PS environment with 0.1% MOS (PS-MOS); and 6) PS environment with 0.2% FOS (PS-FOS). Each treatment had six replicates, with four animals each. Three feeding phases, based on corn, wheat, and soybean meal were available ad libitum for the 42-days of the study. Housing piglets under PS conditions negatively influenced performance, increased plasma tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), affected the fecal microbial populations and increased concentrations of branched-chain fatty acids (BCFA) compared to GS. Stimbiotic improved 42-d-BW under PS conditions (P < 0.05) whereas MOS or FOS had no effect. On d35, plasma TNF-α was reduced with STB in PS (P < 0.05). The ratio between VFA:BCFA increased (P < 0.05) with STB, MOS or FOS in PS, and under GS condition, STB also increased the ratio. Stimbiotic increased the proportion of Clostridiales Family XIII Incertae Sedis and Clostridiaceae, while MOS and FOS increased Selenomonadaceae, Catabacteriaceae and Fibrobacteraceae. These results indicate that STB shifted the intestinal microbiome to favor fiber fermentation which likely contributed to reduced inflammatory response and improved performance, particularly in piglets reared in PS conditions.

PSIV-14 Effect of xylanase and xylo-oligosaccharides on growth performance and intestinal microbiota in piglets fed a corn-soybean meal based diet

Xylanases are commonly used to improve nutrient digestibility and performance in pig diets. Xylo-oligosaccharides (XOS) are degraded in the gut primarily by Bifidobacteria, leading to an increase in butyrate production. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of a blend of a xylanase and XOS (Signis, AB Vista) on growth performance and intestinal microbiota profile of weaning piglets. A total of 168 mixed sex PIC weaned piglets weighting between 4.5 and 6.7 kg (5.3 kg average weight) were allocated to 28 pens with 6 animals each and 14 pens per diet blocked by initial weight. Diets consisted of a control (based on corn-SBM) without and with 100 g/tonne Signis. The mash diets were fed over 2 phases: pre-starter (6-11 kg) and starter (11-25 kg). Feed samples were collected for xylanase activities analyses, and results were as expected. Liveability, average daily gain and feed intake were recorded, and feed conversion ratio (FCR) calculated. Colon digesta samples were collected after 6 weeks of Signis supplementation for bacterial identification through 16S rRBA rRNA (V3-V4) sequencing. Results are presented as the relative operational taxonomic units (OTU) values for each bacteria sequenced. Overall, inclusion of Signis reduced (P = 0.05) FCR by 9 points (1.79 vs. 1.88; SEM=0.025) at 42 days post-weaning. No differences in the OTU values were observed between treatments, with Firmicutes making up the largest proportion of the colon microbiota, followed by Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria. Bacteroidetes tended (P < 0.10) to be higher in the Signis group (0.06 vs 0.22; SEM=0.058). Piglets supplemented with Signis had a trend (P < 0.10) to have higher concentration of uncultured Clostridium spp, which are involved in the fermentation of fiber. This suggests that Signis stimulates the development of a fibrolytic microbiome and thus piglet performance.

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163 Xylanase and fermentable xylo-oligosaccharides improve performance in grower-finisher pigs fed a corn-soybean meal based diet

Cecal inoculum collected from broilers fed a diet supplemented with xylanase showed increased gas production in an in vitro fermentation study with arabinoxylan-based substrates, indicating that intestinal microbiota can adapt to increase the capability to ferment arabinoxylans when pre-exposed to xylo-oligosaccharides (XOS) produced by xylanase. As the most abundant non-starch polysaccharides in a corn-soybean meal-based diet is arabinoxylan, this study tested the hypothesis that a blend of a xylanase and XOS will improve growth performance of pigs compared with those fed a diet supplemented with xylanase alone. One hundred twenty male crossbred (Landrace x Large white x Duroc) pigs (77 days average age; 30 kg average body weight -BW) were allocated to one of three treatments: CTR (control diet), XYL (CTR diet supplemented with 100 g/t of xylanase [Econase XT, AB Vista]) and XYL+XOS [CTR diet supplemented with 100 g/t of xylanase and XOS (Signis, AB Vista)]. Each treatment had ten replicates, with 4 animals each. The control diet was formulated with corn, soybean meal, DDGS and cassava meal as major ingredients. Pelleted diets were fed over 3 phases: grower (30–60 kg), finisher 1 (60–80 kg) and finisher 2 (80–100 kg). Average daily gain (ADG) and daily feed intake (ADFI) were measured from 30 to 100 kg and feed efficiency calculated (FCR). No treatment effects were observed on ADFI. Pigs offered the XYL+XOS had increased ADG (CTR = 1.058 vs XYL+XOS= 1.086 g/pig/d; P = 0.02) compared with those supplemented with xylanase alone (CTR = 1.058 vs XYL = 1.067 g/pig/d; P = 0.40). Feed efficiency was improved with XYL (2.65; P = 0.042) and XYL+XOS (2.60; P < 0.001) compared with CTR (2.71). These results suggest that xylanase in combination with XOS further improves daily gain and FCR compared with a xylanase alone. Interestingly the differences between XYL and XYL+XOS become more apparent in older animals, when the microbiome matures and possibly digests fiber more effectively.

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Lower Oral Doses of Micellized α-Tocopherol Compared to α-Tocopheryl Acetate in Feed Modify Fatty Acid Profiles and Improve Oxidative Status in Pigs

This study evaluated the effect of vitamin E supplementation source, and the dose given to sows or piglets, on the fatty acid profile of colostrum, milk, subcutaneous and intramuscular fat, and the oxidative status of piglets at 39 days of age. Sows (n = 10) were given 150 mg dl-α-tocopheryl acetate/d in feed, or 75 or 50 mg micellized-d-α-tocopherol/d in water from Day 103 of pregnancy. Weaning piglets from each group of sows (n = 7) received 3.33 mg dl-α-tocopheryl acetate/d in feed, or 1.7 mg micellized-d-α-tocopherol/d or 1.1 mg micellized-d-α-tocopherol/d in water for 14 days. Colostrum from sows supplemented with micellized-d-α-tocopherol had a lower proportion of C20:0 (P = 0.02), C18:4 n-3 (P = 0.03) and a higher C18:1 n-9 to C18:0 ratio than those given dl-α-tocopheryl acetate. Supplementation with micellized-d-α-tocopherol decreased the C18:0 proportion (P = 0.04) and the C18:1 n-9 to C18:0 ratio (P = 0.03) in milk, whereas the C18:1 n-7 proportion increased (P = 0.03) compared to dl-α-tocopheryl acetate. Composition was affected by the d-α-tocopherol dose. A similar trend to that observed in milk was observed in fatty acid composition in piglet fat. Piglets supplemented with micellized-d-α-tocopherol at low doses did not have different ferric reducing antioxidant power in muscle tissues (P = 0.31) than when they were supplemented with dl-α-tocopheryl acetate. Piglets given 1.7 mg micellized-d-α-tocopherol/d had lower oxidized glutathione than those given 1.1 mg/d (P = 0.0055). In conclusion, oral supplementation of sows (75 mg/d) and piglets (1.7 mg/d) with micellized natural vitamin E modified the fatty acid profile of piglet tissues and improved their oxidative status.

Zinc oxide at low supplementation level improves productive performance and health status of piglets

Use of ZnO at high doses (3000 ppm) for diarrhea prophylaxis in piglets is widely extended in postweaning Spanish diets, in compliance with the national veterinary regulation. However, European feed legislation limits total dietary Zn to a maximum of 150 mg/kg of complete feed. The objective of this study was to compare a new potentiated form of ZnO, HiZox (Animine), at nutritional level (150 ppm) with pharmacological dosage (3000 ppm) of regular ZnO in starter diets on the productive performance and health status of piglets in a medium-low health status farm. A total of 144 pigs at weaning (28 d of age) were distributed in 6 piglets/pen and 12 pens/treatment. In the prestarter phase (28 to 42 d of age), all pigs received the same commercial feed, including 3000 ppm ZnO. In the starter phase (42 to 63 d of age) (T1) included 3000 ppm of regular ZnO (2500 ppm Zn), and (T2) was supplemented with 110 ppm Zn from potentiated ZnO (HiZox). Average daily feed intake, ADG, G:F, and pig-MAP serum concentration, an acute phase protein commonly used as unspecific biomarker of disease or other acute phase reactions, were measured at 42 and 63 d of life. Pen of 6 piglets was the experimental unit and data were analyzed using the GLM procedure of SAS version 9.0. Piglets fed with T2-HiZox had improved ADG and G:F (P < 0.001) compared to piglets fed with T1-ZnO. In addition, at 63 d of age, the T2 group had a lower pig-MAP serum concentration than T1 group (1.71 vs. 0.95 μg/mL; P < 0.05) indicating higher health status in the T2 group. In conclusion, in low-medium sanitary conditions and in compliance with European regulation, HiZox significantly increased piglet growth compared to pharmacological dosage of regular ZnO in the starter phase. This can be explained by a better health of pigs expressed by a lower level of inflammatory protein pig-MAP.

The association of Triatoma maculata (Ericsson 1848) with the gecko Thecadactylus rapicauda (Houttuyn 1782) (Reptilia: Squamata: Gekkonidae): a strategy of domiciliation of the Chagas disease peridomestic vector in Venezuela?

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the bioecological relationship between Chagas disease peridomestic vectors and reptiles as source of feeding.

METHODS

In a three-story building, triatomines were captured by direct search and electric vacuum cleaner search in and outside the building. Then, age structure of the captured Triatoma maculata (T. maculata) were identified and recorded. Reptiles living in sympatric with the triatomines were also searched.

RESULTS

T. maculata were found living sympatric with geckos (Thecadactylus rapicauda) and they bit residents of the apartment building in study. A total of 1 448 individuals of T. maculata were captured within three days, of which 74.2% (1 074 eggs) were eggs, 21.5% were nymphs at different stages, and 4.3% were adults.

CONCLUSIONS

The association of T. maculata and T. rapicauda is an effective strategy of colonizing dwellings located in the vicinity of the habitat where both species are present; and therefore, could have implications of high importance in the intradomiciliary transmission of Chagas disease.

Effects of gestation and transition diets, piglet birth weight, and fasting time on depletion of glycogen pools in liver and 3 muscles of newborn piglets

The experiment was conducted to assess the effects of maternal nutrition in late gestation on glycogen pools of newborn piglets of different birth weights and to assess how rapidly the glycogen pools in the liver and 3 muscles are mobilized during fasting. Until d 108 of gestation, 48 sows were fed a gestation standard diet (GSD) with low dietary fiber (DF, 17.1%), or 1 of 3 diets with high DF (32.3 to 40.4%) consisting of pectin residue (GPR), potato pulp (GPP), or sugar-beet pulp (GSP). From d 108 until farrowing, sows were fed 1 of 6 transition diets with low or high dietary fat: one group received a standard diet (TSD; control) containing 3% animal fat, another group received the TSD diet + 2.5 g/d of hydroxy-methyl butyrate as topdressing (THB), and 4 other groups received diets with 8% added fat from coconut oil (TCO), sunflower oil (TSO), fish oil (TFO), or 4% octanoic acid + 4% fish oil (TOA). Two piglets per litter (the second and fifth born) were blood sampled, and 1 was killed immediately after birth, whereas the other, depending on the litter, was killed after 12, 24, or 28.5 to 36 h (mean 32.5 h) of fasting. Samples of liver, LM, M. semimembranousus (SM), and M. diaphragm (DP) were collected and analyzed for glycogen concentration. No dietary effects (P > 0.20) on glycogen concentrations in liver, LM, SM, or DP were observed. The weight of the liver was affected by gestation diet (P < 0.05) and was greater in GSD and GSP piglets (36.7 and 36.3 g) than in GPR piglets (32.6 g), and intermediate (33.6 g) in GPP piglets. Liver weight, estimated muscle mass, and glycogen pools (P < 0.001) were affected by birth weight, whereas glycogen concentrations in liver and LM, SM, and DP muscles were not (P > 0.05). Liver weight; glycogen concentrations in liver, LM, SM, and DP; and glycogen pools in liver and muscles decreased (P < 0.001) with increasing duration of fasting, and at 32.5 h of fasting, glycogen concentration was reduced by 80% in liver, 64% in DP, 46% in SM, and 36% in LM. Based on a broken-line model, labile glycogen in SM, a locomotory muscle, was estimated to be depleted after 16.4 h of fasting. In conclusion, piglet size had a major impact on estimated glycogen pools, whereas sow nutrition in late gestation had a minor impact, if any. Furthermore, varying proportions of pools of glycogen present in liver and selected muscles were mobilized, and data indicate that newborn piglets are fatally depleted of energy after 16 h of fasting.

[Short and intermediate term clinical outcome in patients with cardiogenic shock treated with aortic counterpulsation]

BACKGROUND

Despite improvements in coronary care, cardiogenic shock (CS) remains the leading cause of death in patients with dramatic cardiac diseases of which acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is the most frequent event. Conventional therapy for CS with coronary care unit (CCU) monitoring and vasopressor agents to support blood pressure has historically been associated with an 80% to 90% mortality rate in large series. Intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) therapy for shock results in initial favourable clinical and haemodynamic responses, but ultimately, in most patients, death is merely delayed and hospital mortality still exceeds 80%. In several recent non-randomised series, coronary revascularisation performed early in the course of CS with the use of coronary artery by-pass grafting (CABG) or coronary angioplasty (PTCA) resulted in an apparent reduction in the hospital mortality rate to less than 50% in selected patients with shock.

OBJECTIVES

This study reviews our experience of cardiogenic shock treatment at a time when standard care included aggressive use of the intra-aortic balloon pump counterpulsation, cardiac catheterisation, coronary angioplasty and/or coronary artery by-pass grafting, ventricular septal defect and mitral incompetence repair.

METHODS

We retrospectively analysed 20 patients (13 M and 7 F, with an average age of 62 years and a half) affected by cardiogenic shock consecutively admitted to our CCU between October 1, 1992 and April 1, 1995. Fifteen patients (pts) were hospitalised for AMI, shock and pump failure (2 of them with pulmonary oedema), all with admittance delay less than 24 hours. Five patients were hospitalised for AMI with shock and mechanical defects, of which 3 pts with AMI and ventricular septal rupture and 2 pts with AMI and mitral regurgitation. All patients underwent IABP, coronary angiography (CA) and then were treated with PTCA, CABG and cardiac surgery or medical treatment.

RESULTS

On the whole, 7 pts died (35%): 4 of shock, 1 of haemorrhagic complications, 1 of septic shock in the CCU, and 1 of heart failure after CABG in cardiosurgery. One more patient died of heart failure two months after discharge (late mortality 5%). Out of the 15 patients hospitalised with AMI, shock and pump failure, 13 patients with AMI and CS less than 24 hrs were treated as follows: 1 patient was successfully submitted to emergency CABG and 12 patients to PTCA of the infarct related artery (IRA). Eight patients enjoyed a good outcome, but 1 patient died of haemorrhagic complications and 4 with a persistently occluded IRA also died (3 in the CCU and 1 after CABG). Of the 2 remaining pts with AMI, shock and pulmonary oedema, 1 patient underwent CABG with success and 1 patient with the 3-vessel disease was submitted to PTCA with reperfusion of the IRA, but he died from reocclusion three days later. Out of the 5 patients with AMI, shock and mechanical defects, 3 patients with AMI and septal ventricular rupture underwent cardiac surgery and CABG with early and late success. One of the 2 patients with AMI, shock and mitral regurgitation underwent cardiac surgery with valve repair and CABG and had a good outcome, the other died from septic complications in the CCU.

CONCLUSIONS

IABP is an useful device for stabilising patients in cardiogenic shock and safely performing angiography as well as PTCA, CABG or surgical correction of all mechanical complications with a more stable haemodynamic balance. Therefore, IABP is an useful tool to improve successful coronary revascularisation after direct PTCA or direct CABG. These data also suggest that the combination of successful coronary revascularisation and intra-aortic balloon pumping can improve survival in pts with cardiogenic shock complicating AMI with early pump failure.

Gabexate mesilate, a new synthetic serine protease inhibitor: a pilot clinical trial in valvular heart surgery

OBJECTIVE

To assess the effects of gabexate mesilate ([GM], Foy, ONO Pharmaceutical Co, Osaka, Japan) on blood loss in cardiac valve replacement surgery and to establish whether GM reduces blood loss or transfusion requirements after this surgery.

DESIGN

Randomized single-blind trial in 30 patients receiving either GM (2 mg/kg/h in a central venous catheter), or no GM, after heparin.

SETTING

Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, Cardiac Surgery, in a hospital in Italy.

PARTICIPANTS

Consent patients.

INTERVENTIONS

Cardiac valve replacement surgery.

MEASUREMENT AND MAIN RESULTS

Intraoperative and postoperative bleeding, blood transfusion, hemoglobin, and hematocrit were compared. In the GM group bleeding was reduced and no transfusions were required.

CONCLUSION

GM appears to play a useful role in reducing blood loss during extracorporeal circulation in cardiac surgery.