Stimulation and generation of T and B cell mediated long-term immune response is essential for the curbing of a deadly virus such as SAR-CoV-2. Immunoinformatics approach in vaccine design takes advantage of antigenic and non-allergenic epitopes present on the spike glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2 to elicit immune responses. T cells and B cells epitopes were predicted, and the selected residues were subjected to allergenicity, antigenicity and toxicity screening which were linked by appropriate linkers to form a multi-epitope subunit vaccine. The physiochemical properties of the vaccine construct was analyzed and the molecular weight, molecular formula, theoretical isoelectric point value, half-life, solubility score, instability index, aliphatic index and GRAVY were predicted. The vaccine structure was constructed, refined, validated, and disulfide engineered to get the best model. Molecular binding simulation and molecular dynamics simulation were carried out to predict the stability and binding affinity of the vaccine construct with TLRs. Codon acclimatization and in silico cloning were performed to confirm the vaccine expression and potency. Results obtained indicated that this novel vaccine candidate is non-toxic, capable of initiating the immunogenic response and will not induce an allergic reaction. The highest binding energy was observed in TLR 4 (-1398.1) and the least is TLR 2 (-1479. 6). The steady rise in Th (helper) cell population with memory development was noticed and IFN-g was provoked after simulation. At this point, the vaccine candidate awaits animal trial to validate its efficacy and safety for use in the prevention of the novel COVID-19 infections.

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Background: Carbapenems are the most effective and important therapeutic options to serious infections caused by Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates. However, Carbepenems resistant isolates of Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas aeroginosa are increasing worldwide. This study, therefore, was carried out to determine the resistance pattern of clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli to Carbapenems. Methods: Fifty (50) E. coli and forty seven (47) Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates were studied. Antibiotic Susceptibility test was performed as recommended by the CLSI. The antibiotics used were Ertapenem, Imipenem, Colistin Sulphate, Levofloxacin, and Piperacillin/Tazobactam. Results: Out of 97 clinical isolates subjected to drug susceptibilities test, Pseudomonas aeruginosa showed resistance to Ertapenem (87.2%); followed by Levofloxacin (19.1%), Colistin sulphate (12.8%), Piperacillin/tazobactan (4.3%) and Imipenem (2.1%) while E.coli displayed resistance to Ertapenem (30%), Levofloxacin (20%) and Colistin sulphate (4%). Interestingly, E coli was susceptible to Imipenem (0%) and Piperacillin/tazobactan (0%). A significant effect of Ertapenem on Pseudomonas aeruginosa was recorded. Also a significant effect of Piperacillin/Tazobactam was recorded on E coli. No significant effect was recorded among the other antibiotics on P aeruginosa or E coli. Conclusion: There is a high level of Carbapenems resistance among the clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa compared to Escherichia coli in this study. Considering the therapeutic value of Carbapenems as one of the last options for the treatment of Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections, rational Carbapenems usage is essential to reduce selective pressure over Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical isolates. Correspondance: O.A Ajibade. Adeleke University, P.M.B 250 Ede, Osun State E -Mail: oluwatosin.ajibade@adelekeuniversity.edu.ng RÉSUMÉ Contexte : Carbapénèmes sont les plus efficaces et les options thérapeutiques importants d'infections graves causées par les entérobactéries et Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolats. Cependant, Carbepenems isolats résistants d'entérobactéries et Pseudomonas aeroginosa sont en augmentation dans le monde entier. En conclusion, cette étude a été réalisée pour déterminer le profil de résistance des isolats cliniques de Pseudomonas aeruginosa et Escherichia coli de carbapénèmes.

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Klebsiella pneumoniae is a pathogen of the Enterobacteriaceae family that causes healthcare-associated infections and has recently emerged as one of the most antibiotic-resistant organisms responsible for outbreaks in both community and healthcare settings. The aim of this study is to determine the resistance pattern of Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from selected tertiary hospitals in Osun state, Nigeria. A total of 62 Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates were obtained from 1056 samples of urine, wound swab, ear swab, eye swab and other collection sites that were routinely submitted to the diagnostic laboratories of the selected tertiaryhospitals. Susceptibility to twelve (12) antibiotics (Oxoid) was determined using the Kirby Bauer disk diffusion method for the 62 isolates. Rate of resistance to carbapenems, fluoroquinolones, polymyxins, monobactams, cephalosporins, penicillin and phosphonic acid derivative are 29.03%, 47.84%, 29.03%, 46.77%, 50.80%, 93.55%, and 37.10% respectively. The isolates were mostly susceptible to carbapenems, especially, Imipenem with 74.19%. Highest resistance was to Penicillin (93.55%). The multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) index revealed that 52 (83.87%) out of 62 isolates were multi-drug resistant. Increase in antibiotic resistance continues to be a problem amidst patients infected with Klebsiella pneumoniae which can be most likely attributed to increase in antibiotic misapplication, misuse and abuse which is most prevalent among youths. It is therefore of utmost importance that consistent monitoring of antibiotic resistance be done as it will assist in the appropriate selection of empiric antibiotic treatment in the proper setting.