Studies for the safe use of erythromycin and doxycycline in fish of national commercial importance

Abstract

Admittedly, aquaculture is the fastest growing food production activity in the world and has the highest demand for studies on the use of drugs. Brazil is one of the countries with the greatest potential for exploration of this activity. Although there is a growing market for animal health products and veterinary drugs, there are few options for regulated medicines for use in aquaculture in Brazil, which may lead to inappropriate use of products and substances. In view of this, there is a scenario of great demand for new therapeutic alternatives that are effective against the major diseases that affect the aquaculture species of commercial interest for Brazil and that may be regulated for veterinary use in this sector. Of this, our research group, nucleated in the FCFRP/USP, has been dedicating itself to carry out studies that can help in the solution of this problematic. Our work mainly involves residual depletion studies aimed at evaluating the profile of the elimination of selected drug residues and estimating the minimum periods of grace to be proposed considering the safe use of these substances, mitigating the risks of food contamination of the population and environmental. Also, studies are carried out of alternatives for the incorporation of drugs into the diet - main route of administration of drugs for fish. In the present project, we intend to have erythromycin and doxycycline antimicrobials as targets for the studies. Erythromycin is a macrolide, which acts by interfering with bacterial protein synthesis. This drug has a wide activity against gram-positive bacteria, such as streptococci, staphylococci and gram-positive diplococci, and there are at least three Streptococcus species that cause outbreaks with great losses and economic impact in Brazil. However, the use of erythromycin in fish farming is not yet regulated in Brazil, although it is already approved for use in other countries. Doxycycline belongs to the class of tetracyclines, with a broad spectrum of action, having a relatively low cost compared to other representatives of this class, which makes its use attractive, but is not yet regulated for fish farming. As the main intended results, we highlight the development of critical scientific thinking on the subject and scientifically based rationale for the proper use of medicines in aquaculture, collaborating for aquaculture productivity and the provision of safe food. (AU)