Background Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a viral pandemic disease that may induce severe pneumonia in humans. In this paper, we investigated the putative implication of 12 vaccines, including BCG, OPV and MMR in the protection against COVID-19. Sequences of the main antigenic proteins in the investigated vaccines and SARS-CoV-2 proteins were compared to identify similar patterns. The immunogenic effect of identified segments was, then, assessed using a combination of structural and antigenicity prediction tools. Results A total of 14 highly similar segments were identified in the investigated vaccines. Structural and antigenicity prediction analysis showed that, among the identified patterns, three segments in Hepatitis B, Tetanus, and Measles proteins presented antigenic properties that can induce putative protective effect against COVID-19. Conclusions Our results suggest a possible protective effect of HBV, Tetanus and Measles vaccines against COVID-19, which may explain the variation of the disease severity among regions.

Background: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a viral pandemic disease that may induce severe pneumonia in humans. In this paper, we investigated the putative implication of 12 vaccines, including BCG, OPV and MMR in the protection against COVID-19. Sequences of the main antigenic proteins in the investigated vaccines and SARS-CoV-2 proteins were compared to identify similar patterns. The immunogenic effect of identified segments was, then, assessed using a combination of structural and antigenicity prediction tools.Results: A total of 14 highly similar segments were identified in the investigated vaccines. Structural and antigenicity prediction analysis showed that, among the identified patterns, three segments in Hepatitis B, Tetanus, and Measles proteins presented antigenic properties that can induce putative protective effect against COVID-19. Conclusions: Our results suggest a possible protective effect of HBV, Tetanus and Measles vaccines against COVID-19, which may explain the variation of the disease severity among regions.

Background: Since the 1990s, the epidemiology of bacterial meningitis worldwide has changed thanks to vaccination. In Tunisia, the main causative pathogens were Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis and Haemophilus influenzae serotype b (Hib). Only Hib vaccination was available during our study period. Objectives: We performed a laboratory case report based-study of suspected bacterial meningitis in Northern Tunisia from January 2014 to June 2017. Methods: CSF samples obtained from children beyond neonatal age with suspicion of meningitis were tested by two real time PCRs, targeting pneumococcus, meningococcus and Hib, and conventional methods. Results: Using real-time PCR, 63 were positive including ten supplementary cases compared to conventional methods. A general decrease of bacterial meningitis cases was demonstrated comparing to previous data. Pneumococcus was predominant (69.84%) followed by meningococcus (28.57%) and Hib (1.59%). The main serotypes were 14, 19F, 6B and 23F for pneumococcus and serogroup B for meningococcus. Most cases occurred during cold season and children under one year were the most affect- ed by bacterial meningitis. Conclusion: Our study suggests the predominance of pneumococcal cases. It may provide valuable data on meningitis epidemiology before the introduction of pneumococcal vaccine, which may be useful for future evaluation. Keywords: Bacterial meningitis; children; Tunisia; PCR.