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Anthelmintics used for intestinal helminthiasis treatment are generally effective; however, their effectiveness in tissue parasitosis (i.e. visceral toxocariasis) is moderate. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro activity of lapachol, β-lapachone and phenazines in relation to the viability of Toxocara canis larvae. A concentration of 2 mg/mL (in duplicate) of the compounds was tested using microculture plates containing Toxocara canis larvae in an RPMI-1640 environment, incubated at 37 °C in 5% CO2 tension for 48 hours. In the 2 mg/mL concentration, four phenazines, lapachol and three of its derivatives presented a larvicide/larvistatic activity of 100%. Then, the minimum larvicide/larvistatic concentration (MLC) test was conducted. The compounds that presented the best results were nor-lapachol (MLC, 1 mg/mL), lapachol (MLC 0.5 mg/mL), β-lapachone, and β-C-allyl-lawsone (MLC, 0.25 mg/mL). The larvae exposed to the compounds, at best MLC with 100% in vitro activity larvicide, were inoculated into healthy BALB/c mice and were not capable of causing infection, confirming the larvicide potential in vitro of these compounds. Os anti-helmínticos empregados no tratamento das helmintoses intestinais, de modo geral, são eficazes, porém nas parasitoses teciduais, como é o caso da toxocaríase visceral, a eficácia é moderada. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar in vitro a atividade do lapachol, β-lapachona e fenazinas derivadas da β-lapachona sobre a viabilidade de larvas de Toxocara canis. Os compostos foram testados na concentração de 2 mg/mL (em duplicata) em placas de microcultivo, contendo larvas de T. canis em meio RPMI-1640, sendo incubados, a 37 °C, em tensão de CO2 de 5%, por 48 horas. Na concentração de 2 mg/mL, quatro fenazinas, o lapachol e três derivados, apresentaram atividade larvicida/larvostática de 100%. A seguir, foi realizado o teste de concentração larvicida/larvostártica mínima (CLM). Os compostos que apresentaram os melhores resultados foram o nor-lapachol (CLM, 1 mg/mL), lapachol (CLM, 0,5 mg/mL), a β-lapachona e a β-C-alil-lausona (CLM, 0,25 mg/mL). As larvas expostas aos compostos, na melhor CLM 100% in vitro foram inoculadas em camundongos BALB/c saudáveis não sendo capazes de causar infecção, confirmando o potencial larvicida in vitro desses compostos.

Insect proteins, such as the common cricket ( Acheta domesticus ), are becoming popular as a potential substitute for fishmeal in aquaculture feed and have bioactive properties. Its cultivation has a lower use of land resources, although its industrial processing requires energy for grinding and drying. In two experiments, all at four inclusion levels and three replicates. The first experiment (Exp I) compares a whole cricket meal (CM) vs cricket acid silage (CAS), replacing 25% of CM with CAS to estimate the growth and digestibility of Litopenaeus vannamei . A significant trend towards increased growth was observed with higher amounts of CAS, and dry matter digestibility was significantly improved through an orthogonal analysis. In the second experiment (Exp II), the 15.5% fishmeal was replaced with different proportions of CAS (to maintain a similar protein content). Although digestibility remained above 70%, overall shrimp performance decrease with increasing CAS. Chitin content in cricket exceeded 25%, and changes in fatty acid composition were noted, with greater accumulation of oleic acid (18:1n9), while the decrease in linolenic acid (18:2n6) occurred as CAS increased. Hemolymph analysis revealed significant differences in glucose levels but not in total proteins or cholesterol. The study concludes that using acid silage from crickets could improve the circular economy, making crickets more digestible without the need for drying or cold storage in aquaculture. However, it is recommended to research further on a more appropriate amount of CAS or possibly using a chitinase in the procedure of acid silage to decrease the amount of chitin. Also, the possibility to standardize the insect feeds to have a better condition index (protein-fat-chitin) and more homogeneous raw material, particularly the fatty acids, was discussed. Further, when using insect meal, it is recommended to quantify the non-protein nitrogen from the chitin to adjust the crude protein in diets to avoid overestimation. It is concluded that despite our results not favoring the overall performance when substituting fish meal, the acidification of crickets to become acid silage could enhance the circular economy by improving apparent dry matter digestibility without the need for drying or low-temperature storage. However, further studies are needed to determine the amount in diets to result in growth benefits. Further, optimal insect culture methods to enhance the protein-to-chitin ratio are needed to improve its nutrient content.

Abstract Objectives In this study, we evaluated temporal changes in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) before, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico. Methods We conducted a multicentre, retrospective surveillance study that included clinically significant isolates of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria collected across Mexico between January 2019 and December 2024. Differences in antibiotic resistance among clinical specimen types and across pre-pandemic, pandemic and post-pandemic periods were assessed using Fisher’s exact test and linear regression, as appropriate. Results A total of 156 193 isolates were analysed. Among Enterobacterales, extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli increased from the pre-pandemic to post-pandemic period (46.5%–48.9%, P for trend = 0.005). Also, resistance to ertapenem (2.0% to 3.2%) and meropenem (1.2% to 2.7%) increased significantly (both P for trend < 0.001). In contrast, the Acinetobacter baumannii-calcoaceticus complex exhibited a significant post-pandemic decline in resistance to FEP, decreasing from 82.2% in the pre-pandemic period to 48.5% post-pandemic. Similar downward trends were observed for MEM (82.5%–65.1%) and IPM (77.2%–63.9%) (P for trend < 0.001). For Pseudomonas aeruginosa, ceftazidime resistance increased during the pandemic period (18.8%–24.4%) and declined in the post-pandemic period (20.0%). Among Gram-positive organisms, vancomycin resistance in Enterococcus faecium increased in the post-pandemic period (29.1%–43.1%, P < 0.001), and in urine isolates, a significant increase in AMP resistance was observed (76.1% in the pre-pandemic to 83.9% in the pandemic to 86.1% in the post-pandemic (P for trend = 0.029). For S. aureus, oxacillin resistance increased from 13.9% (pre-pandemic) to 19.0% (pandemic) but declined thereafter (16.5%, P < 0.001). Conclusions The COVID-19 pandemic was a major driver of AMR dynamics in Mexico, and its impact persists. While resistance rates declined for A. baumannii, rising ESBL prevalence and increasing fluoroquinolone resistance highlight persistent and emerging threats. Sustained surveillance and strengthened antimicrobial stewardship are essential to mitigate long-term post-pandemic AMR consequences.