This present paper reports a study of the efficiency of an anaerobic Baffled Reactor (ABR) composed of three chambers working as the first stage of a biological treatment system for swine wastewater, over a period of 116 days. The average value of the volumetric organic loading rate (VOLR) was 17.8 kgCODtotal m-3 d-1, the biological organic loading rates (BOLR) based on total and filtered COD influents of 14381 mg L-1 and 3610 mg L-1, respectively, were: 1.3 kgCODtotal kgTVS d-1 and 0.98 kgCODfiltered kgTVS d-1, respectively, and the hydraulic loading rate (HLR) was about 1.4 m³ m-3 d-1. The average removal efficiency for total COD was 80% at a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of about 18 hours. The average alkalinity in the effluent was 3801 mgCaCO3 L-1. The average removal efficiencies for oil and grease and total soluble solids were 41% and 78%, respectively. The sludge granulation and biogas production in the ABR were quite different between the first and third compartment, showing a distinct microbial consortium in each chamber. Through this research it was confirmed that this type of reactor can be employed as the first stage in a system treating swine wastewater.

A actinomicose do sistema nervoso central (SNC) é afecção rara, caracterizada pela formação de abscesso único e de evolução crônica. Os autores descrevem o caso de um paciente jovem, imunocompetente, com actinomicose cerebral oriunda de foco primário cervicofacial, submetido a ressecção cirúrgica e antibioticoterapia. Ressalta-se a importância do conhecimento da entidade e de suas principais formas de acometimento, como a base do diagnóstico precoce dessa enfermidade potencialmente curável e de bom prognóstico.

Central nervous system actinomycosis is a rare but treatable chronic suppurative bacterial infection. The case of a young immunocompetent male with actinomycosis of the CNS is presented. The abscess originated from a primary cervico-facial infection and was located in the left parasellar region. After excision of the mass, that showed Actinomyces colonies, the patient was treated with intravenous Penicillin for 42 days followed by oral administration of the drug for 30 days. After surgery the patient was left with mild sequelae that had improved by the last follow-up, 7 months later. A new CT scan at that time revealed no residual disease or recurrence. The early diagnosis of cerebral actinomycosis relies essentially on a clinical suspicion. Hence it is imperative to be aware of the natural history of this infection and its various modes of presentation.