Antibiotic resistant Escherichia coli strains in healthy pets from Tamaulipas, Mexico.

Antibiotic resistance constitutes a significant public health challenge, with diverse reservoirs of resistant bacteria playing pivotal roles in their dissemination. Among these reservoirs, pets are carrying antibiotic-resistant strains. The objective of this study was to assess the resistance profiles of Escherichia coli, and the prevalence of extended-spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL) producing E. coli strains in dogs and cats from Tamaulipas, Mexico. A total of 300 stool samples (150 dogs and 150 cats) from healthy pets were subjected to analysis. Antibiotic susceptibility testing and the identification of ESBLs were carried out by disc diffusion method. The presence of resistance genes, class 1, 2, and 3 integrons (intI1, intI2, and intI3) and phylogroups was determined by PCR analysis. The findings reveal that 42.6% (128/300) of the strains exhibited resistance to at least one of the eight antibiotics assessed, and 18.6% (56/300) demonstrated multidrug resistance (MDR), that distributed across 69 distinct resistance patterns. Altogether 2.6% of E. coli strains (8/300) were confirmed as TEM and CTX-M type ESBL producers. These outcomes underscore the roles of dogs and cats in Tamaulipas as reservoirs for the dissemination of MDR and/or ESBL strains. The results underscore the necessity for conducting prevalence studies on ESBL-producing E. coli, forming a foundation for comprehending the present scenario and formulating strategies for the control and mitigation of this issue.

HR Gene Variants Identified in Mexican Patients with Alopecia Areata.

Alopecia Areata (AA) is a multifactorial, dermatological disease characterized by non-scarring hair loss. Alterations in candidate genes, such as HR (Hairless), could represent a risk factor for its development. The aim of this study was to search for and analyze variants in exons 3, 15 and 17 of the HR gene in Mexican patients with AA. A total of 30 samples from both AA patients and healthy donors were analyzed in this study. Exons were amplified and sequenced using the Sanger method. Descriptive statistics and χ2 tests were used in the analysis of clinical-demographic characteristics and the comparison of allelic/genotypical frequencies between groups, respectively. The effect on protein function for the non-synonymous variants was determined with three bioinformatics servers. Three gene variants were identified in the HR gene of the evaluated patients. The benign polymorphism c.1010G > A p.(Gly337Asp) (rs12675375) had been previously reported, whereas the variants c.750G > A p.(Gln250Gln) and c.3215T > A (Val1072AGlu) have not been described in other world populations. Both non-synonymous variants proved to be significant (p ≤ 0.05). The variant c.3215T > A p.(Val1072Glu) is of particular interest due to its deleterious effect on the structure and function of the protein; therefore, it could be considered a risk factor for the development of AA.

Canine Distemper Virus: Origins, Mutations, Diagnosis, and Epidemiology in Mexico.

This review provides an overview of the canine distemper virus (CDV), a highly infectious pathogen causing severe disease in domestic dogs and wildlife. It shares genetic similarities with the human measles virus (HMV) in humans and the rinderpest virus (RPV) in cattle. The origin of CDV likely involves a mutation from human measles strains, possibly in the New World, with subsequent transmission to dogs. CDV has been globally observed, with an increasing incidence in various animal populations. Genomic mutations, especially in the H protein, contribute to its ability to infect different hosts. Diagnosis by molecular techniques like RT-qPCR offers rapid and sensitive detection when compared with serological tests. Genomic sequencing is vital for understanding CDV evolution and designing effective control strategies. Overall, CDV poses a significant threat, and genomic sequencing enhances our ability to manage and prevent its spread. Here, the epidemiology of CDV principally in Mexico is reviewed.

Ligand- and Structure-Based Virtual Screening Identifies New Inhibitors of the Interaction of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein with the ACE2 Host Receptor.

The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a fast-spreading viral pathogen and poses a serious threat to human health. New SARS-CoV-2 variants have been arising worldwide; therefore, is necessary to explore more therapeutic options. The interaction of the viral spike (S) protein with the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) host receptor is an attractive drug target to prevent the infection via the inhibition of virus cell entry. In this study, Ligand- and Structure-Based Virtual Screening (LBVS and SBVS) was performed to propose potential inhibitors capable of blocking the S receptor-binding domain (RBD) and ACE2 interaction. The best five lead compounds were confirmed as inhibitors through ELISA-based enzyme assays. The docking studies and molecular dynamic (MD) simulations of the selected compounds maintained the molecular interaction and stability (RMSD fluctuations less than 5 Å) with key residues of the S protein. The compounds DRI-1, DRI-2, DRI-3, DRI-4, and DRI-5 efficiently block the interaction between the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and receptor ACE2 (from 69.90 to 99.65% of inhibition) at 50 µM. The most potent inhibitors were DRI-2 (IC50 = 8.8 µM) and DRI-3 (IC50 = 2.1 µM) and have an acceptable profile of cytotoxicity (CC50 > 90 µM). Therefore, these compounds could be good candidates for further SARS-CoV-2 preclinical experiments.

Muffin-Type Bakery Product Based on Mexican Mesquite (Prosopis spp.) Flour: Texture Profile, Acceptability, and Physicochemical Properties.

In this research, muffin-type bakery products were developed based on wheat flour (WF) and mesquite flour (MF) in the following proportions: WFMF 90:10, WFMF 75:25, and WFMF 50:50. The products were characterized based on various properties in which it was possible to observe that the water activity (aw) did not show a significant change with the increase in the concentration of MF. In addition, the increase in the concentration of MF modified the sensory properties (color, odor, flavor, texture, and acceptance), further decreasing the luminosity and increasing the values of the a* and b* coordinates. Moreover, in the texture profile analysis, it was found that the increase in the MF concentration increased hardness, fracturability, and gumminess and decreased adhesiveness and cohesiveness. All the previously mentioned changes were more evident in the WFMF50:50 and, to a lesser degree, in WFMF75:25. In general, in most evaluations realized, the WFMF90:10 treatment was the most similar to the control (without MF). However, WFMMF75:25 provided a higher protein and fiber content and a lower fat content. Finally, it is possible to use the flour obtained from the mesquite fruit to make bakery products since it is an important source of food due to the wide distribution of mesquite in the country.

Draft Genome Sequence of a Polyhydroxyalkanoate-Producing Bacillus cereus Strain Isolated from Nuevo Leon State, Mexico.

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) are microbially produced biopolymers which are biodegradable and biocompatible. These compounds produced by microorganisms have been described as a potent alternative to synthetic plastics, which are often recalcitrant. Here, we report the draft genome sequence of a PHA-producing Bacillus cereus isolated in our laboratory.

Isolation of Bdellovibrio sp. from soil samples in Mexico and their potential applications in control of pathogens.

In this study, two strains of Bdellovibrio were isolated from soil samples using the culture-dependent technique and two members of the family Enterobacteriaceae (Klebsiella sp. and Salmonella sp.) as prey. The Bdellovibrio strains were bacteriolytic, plaque-forming, and highly motile gram-negative bacteria. We identified and confirmed the Bdellovibrio strains using microscopy, PCR amplification, and sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. They were observed to be different strains based on hit locus and prey range analyses. Here, the first report on Bdellovibrio strains isolated from soil in Mexico corroborates earlier report indicating that populations of Bdellovibrio found in soil are heterogeneous thereby the need to identify the various strains.