Aim: This study aims to assess the changes in antimicrobial resistance among some critical and high-priority microorganisms collected previously and during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Mexico. Methods: We collected antimicrobial susceptibility data for critical and high-priority microorganisms from blood, urine, respiratory samples, and from all specimens, in which the pathogen may be considered a causative agent. Data were stratified and compared for two periods: 2019 versus 2020 and second semester 2019 (prepandemic) versus the second semester 2020 (pandemic). Results: In the analysis of second semester 2019 versus the second semester 2020, in blood samples, increased resistance to oxacillin (15.2% vs. 36.9%), erythromycin (25.7% vs. 42.8%), and clindamycin (24.8% vs. 43.3%) ( p ≤ 0.01) was detected for Staphylococcus aureus , to imipenem (13% vs. 23.4%) and meropenem (11.2% vs. 21.4) ( p ≤ 0.01), for Klebsiella pneumoniae . In all specimens, increased ampicillin and tetracycline resistance was detected for Enterococcus faecium ( p ≤ 0.01). In cefepime, meropenem, levofloxacin, and gentamicin ( p ≤ 0.01), resistance was detected for Escherichia coli ; and in piperacillin-tazobactam, cefepime, imipenem, meropenem, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, and gentamicin ( p ≤ 0.01), resistance was detected for Pseudomonas aeruginosa . Conclusion: Antimicrobial resistance increased in Mexico during the COVID-19 pandemic. The increase in oxacillin resistance for S. aureus and carbapenem resistance for K. pneumoniae recovered from blood specimens deserves special attention. In addition, an increase in erythromycin resistance in S. aureus was detected, which may be associated with high azithromycin use. In general, for Acinetobacter baumannii and P. aeruginosa , increasing resistance rates were detected.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn disease (CD) are the most common forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Because these subtypes of IBD are characterized by periods of activity and remission, an understanding of the modulation of biochemical markers with the clinical features of IBD or its treatment, may be useful for determining the correct treatment protocol. This study aimed to evaluate the serum levels of 27 protein biomarkers to determine their association with IBD, correlation with clinical findings of disease, and modulation according to the pharmacologic therapy. A case–control study was carried out in Zacatecas, Mexico. The 27 protein profiles of serum from 53 participants (23 UC, 11 CD, and 19 controls) were evaluated using the Pro Human Cytokine 27-Plex immunoassay (Bio-Rad). Considering the controls as a reference, the group with IBD endoscopic activity showed higher serum levels of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra), and platelet-derived growth factor BB (PDGF-BB) ( P < .05). Interferon-induced protein 10 (IP-10) was associated with extraintestinal symptoms of disease ( P = .041). Both PDGF-BB and interleukin 6 (IL-6) showed the strongest correlations with clinical features of IBD. Levels of IL-6, IL-7, and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 were higher with 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) + Azathioprine therapy than controls ( P < .05). Combined therapy with 5-ASA + Adalimumab led to the strongest changes in marker modulation: IL-4, IL-5, IL-15, and PDGF-BB, were upregulated ( P < .05). Elevated serum levels of G-CSF, IL-1Ra, and PDGF-BB were associated with IBD endoscopic activity, and of IP-10 with extraintestinal manifestations of IBD. Combined therapy of 5-ASA + Adalimumab produced significant upregulation of IL-4, IL-5, IL-15, and PDGF-BB. This information may be useful for deciding on the course of pharmacologic therapy for patients with IBD and for generating new therapy alternatives to improve the outcome of patients with IBD.

Background:Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) is an enzyme with proteolytic activity on matrix proteins, particularly basement membrane constituents. A single nucleotide polymorphism C>T transition at –1306 displayed a strong association with several cancers. Our study investigated whether or not the MMP-2 –1306C>T polymorphism contributed to the development of breast cancer (BC) in a Mexican population. Methods: 90 patients with BC and 96 control subjects were analyzed to detect MMP-2 –1306C>T polymorphism. Results: The frequency of MMP-2 CC genotype was significantly higher in BC patients when compared with the control group (OR 2.15; 95% CI 1.1–4.1). MMP-2 CC genotype frequency was more pronounced in younger subjects (≤50 years) at diagnosis (OR 2.66; 95% CI 1.04–6.96). Conclusion: The data suggest that MMP-2 –1306C>T polymorphism strongly contributes to the development of BC in the population studied, especially among women 50 years old and younger.