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Infection is one of the main complications that hinder wound healing. Currently, antibiotic-resistant bacteria, such as Methicilin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), are a concern worldwide for both humans and animals. Maggot therapy is re-emerging as an alternative to intractable wounds and may be an option to the traditional antibiotic treatment. Although the species of choice is Lucilia sericata, reports of clinical use have led us to evaluate the efficacy and safety of using Lucilia cuprina larvae on induced infected wounds in Wistar rats. In short, 32 male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups: Group I - saline solution treated; Group II - antibiotic-treated; Group III - treated with larval debridement, and Group IV - without wound and treatment. Skin wounds were induced in groups I, II and III. All treatments were performed once and held for 48 h. Clinical, microbiological, histopathological, hematological, and biochemical analyses were done. Significant wound area contraction was found (>95%) in group III on day 9 compared to day 15 in group II. Complete elimination (0.0 ± 0.0 CFU/mL) of bioburden was achieved after the second treatment (day 6) in both the II and III groups, compared to an increase in Group I (6.51 ± 0.37 CFU/mL). A cleaner wound was also observed in the histopathological evaluation of group III, with adequate collagen formation and re-epithelialization on day 15. Furthermore, larvae increased blood platelet levels after the first treatment. L. cuprina larvae have proven safe and effective in accelerating wound treatment and eliminating MRSA., (Copyright © 2022. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

The aim of this study was to evaluate cholinesterase activity during the early acute phase of Trypanosoma evansi infection in rats. Fifteen male Wistar rats were randomly distributed into three groups (n=5 animals per group): two trypanosome-infected groups (T3 and T5) and uninfected controls (C). The animals were inoculated intraperitoneally with 10(6) trypanosomes. The blood was collected by cardiac puncture on the 3rd (T3) or 5th day post-infection (T5 and C). Cerebrum and cerebellum were removed for the evaluation of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. AChE activity was also evaluated in whole blood and butyrylcholinesterase activity (BUChE) in plasma samples. Parasitemia were progressive increase and parasites were observed in the peripheral blood of all infected animals one day post-inoculation. AChE activity was not altered in cerebrum and cerebellum tissues. AChE activity in blood significantly decreased in the T3 and T5 groups (26.63 and 25.86mU/lmolHb) compared with the control (37.84mU/lmolHb). In addition BUChE activity in plasma was lower in the T3 (7.01micromol BTC hydrolyzed/h/mL) than the T5 and C groups (9.84 and 12.00micromol BTC hydrolyzed/h/mL). This study therefore, shows that reductions in the activity of cholinesterase occur in acute infection by T. evansi in rats and this demonstrates an important change occurring in animals infected by the protozoan and may indicate a potential role the enzymes play in the mechanism of disease.