COVID-19: An Overview of Current progress and prospects in the frantic race to develop upcoming safe and effective SARS-CoV-2 vaccine Candidates

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an emerging infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). It quickly spread around the world after its first emergence in Wuhan in December 2019 to become a global pandemic with millions of infections worldwide. As of 1 November 2020, nearly 46 million cases have been reported globally and 1.2 million patients succumbed to the viral disease. Due to the lack of efficient and specific therapeutic and prophylactic options available and the need to contain the epidemic, and its economic, political, cultural, demographic and societal consequences, there is a strong consensus globally only the development of a safe and effective vaccine against COVID-19 is the best way to control and ultimately end the pandemic. Faced with the urgency imposed by the speed of expansion of covid-19, scientists are led to launch themselves into a race against the clock to produce a safe and effective coronavirus vaccine by next year. Once the vaccine has been developed, strong international coordination and cooperation between all stakeholders in the vaccine productionprocess will be needed to ensure equitable availability of the vaccine to the global population

Frequency of the toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 gene in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated from Pediatric Hospital in Morocco

Staphylococcus aureus is a common threat to hospitalized patients and is responsible for a variety of infections, ranging from superficial skin and soft tissue infections to toxic shock syndrome and severe systemic infections. Furthermore, methicillin- resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has become a major concern in the hospital environment. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus produces a range of virulence factors such as toxic shock syndrome toxin-1.This study was conducted from December 2010 to Mai 2014 in a Mother Child Hospital CHU Mohamed VI Marrakech in Morocco. The Extreme Age was: 2 Days - 15 years, a total of 259 S. Aureus were collected from various clinical specimens, fifty three isolates identified as MRSA, In this study of 53 clinical SARM  isolates, the presence of the tst gene was assessed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).A total of  259 S. aureus were collected from various clinical specimens, fifty three isolates identified as MRSA, The study revealed 15/53 (28,30%) isolates were positive for the tst gene of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) isolates.These results reveal the remarkable risk of SARM infections in hospitals, regardless of methicillin- resistance status. Our results show a high rate of MRSA-TSST+ in the hospital

Characterization and antibiotic susceptibility of Listeria monocytogenes isolated from poultry and red meat in Morocco

This study was carried out on 426 samples of raw meats collected from butcheries and supermarkets in Casablanca, Morocco. The samples were examined for the occurrence of Listeria species. Strains of Listeria monocytogenes were characterized by several biochemical tests and confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). β-hemolytic cultures and nonhemolytic isolates were tested for biochemical properties with the Listeria API test. Among the 43 Listeria species isolates; we identified 10 strains for L. monocytogenes (23.3%), 31 strains for L. innocua (72.1%) and 2 strains for L. welshimeri (4.6%). Strains of L. monocytogenes were separated by multiplex PCR; two serogroups IIb and IVb were thus differentiated. Antibiotic susceptibility of L. monocytogenes to 21 antibiotics was determined by the disk diffusion method. All isolates were susceptible to a wide range of the tested antibiotics with the exception of nalidixic acid, colistine and cephalosporins second and third generation for which they were all resistant

Self-Medication Practice and Risk Factors for Self-Medication among university students in Beni Mellal

Background: Self-medication is defined as taking medications without the physician’sprescription. It is a worldwide public health problem, especially in countries with limitedresources. Although self-medication can reduce waiting time and save money, it may carrysome potential risks: antibiotic resistance or inappropriate management with subsequentcomplication. A limited number of self-medication studies have been conducted in Morocco.Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of self-medication practices among university studentsin Beni Mellal and to identify the factors associated with self-medication.Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was employed from March 1st 2017 toApril 13th 2017. 476 university students were interviewed using a questionnaire includingsociodemographic scale and self-medication knowledge and behavior. Data was analyzed usingdescriptive and analytic statistical methods.Results: Frequency of self-medication among the study sample has reached 62%. 26,07% ofthe participants reported that the first reason behind using self-medication was lack of money.Meanwhile, the most prevalent conditions that make them use these medications by themselveswere cough and common cold (32.51%) and headache (38,7%). The most frequent selfadministered drugs were analgesics (38.7%) followed by cough suppressants (32,51 %). Most(95.4%) of the drugs were purchased from community pharmacies as a source of drugs for selfmedication.Conclusion: Our study shows that self-medication is widely practiced among Universitystudents of Sultan Moulay Slimane University. In this situation, faculties should createawareness and educate their students regarding advantages and disadvantages of selfmedication

OCCURRENCE OF CARBAPENEMASES AND EXTENDED-SPECTRUM Î’ETA-LACTAMASES IN UROPATHOGENIC ENTEROBACTERIACEAE ISOLATED FROM A COMMUNITY SETTING, SETTAT, MOROCCO

Objective: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are still commonly diagnosed in outpatients as well as in hospitalized patients. In this study, weinvestigated the prevalence and performed molecular characterization of extended-spectrum-β-lactamases (ESBL) and carbapenemases produced byEnterobacteriaceae isolates that cause community UTIs in Settat city, Morocco.Methods: From January 2012 to December 2013, all uropathogenic community Enterobacteriaceae isolates were collected from the microbiologylaboratory of Hassan II Hospital, Settat, Morocco. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed as recommended by Clinical and LaboratoryStandard Institute. Phenotypic identification of ESBL and carbapenemase producer isolates was confirmed by the double-disk synergy test and themodified Hodge test, respectively. Molecular characterization of β-lactamase genes was performed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), followedby sequencing of the obtained products.Results: Among 153 isolates, 31 (20.26%) were multi-drug resistant (MDR). Nine strains (5.88%) were ESBL producers, of which Klebsiellapneumoniae (n=5; 20.83%), Escherichia coli (n=3; 3.15%), and Enterobacter cloacae (n=1; 9.09%) species were identified. The results of ESBLencodinggene detection by sequencing revealed the presence of CTX-M-15 (n=9) in association with other β-lactamase genes such as temoneira 1 (n=8) and sulfhydryl variable 1 (n=5). According to the modified Hodge test and PCR, three isolates (1.96%) were positive carry the blaConclusion: The emergence of MDR uropathogenic Enterobacteriaceae isolates in our community is highly alarming. Strict measures will be required to control the further spread of these uropathogenic isolates. Keywords: Carbapenemase, Enterobacteriaceae, Extended-spectrum-β-lactamases, Moroccan community.OXA-48 gene.Keywords: Carbapenemase, Enterobacteriaceae, Extended-spectrum-β-lactamases, Moroccan community.Objective: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are still commonly diagnosed in outpatients as well as in hospitalized patients. In this study, we investigatedtheprevalenceandperformedmolecularcharacterizationofextended-spectrum-β-lactamases(ESBL)andcarbapenemasesproducedby Enterobacteriaceae isolates that cause community UTIs in Settat city, Morocco. Methods: From January 2012 to December 2013, all uropathogenic community Enterobacteriaceae isolates were collected from the microbiology laboratory of Hassan II Hospital, Settat, Morocco. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed as recommended by Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute. Phenotypic identification of ESBL and carbapenemase producer isolates was confirmed by the double-disk synergy test and the modified Hodge test, respectively. Molecular characterization of β-lactamase genes was performed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), followed by sequencing of the obtained products. Results: Among 153 isolates, 31 (20.26%) were multi-drug resistant (MDR). Nine strains (5.88%) were ESBL producers, of which Klebsiella pneumoniae (n=5; 20.83%), Escherichia coli (n=3; 3.15%), and Enterobacter cloacae (n=1; 9.09%) species were identified. The results of ESBL- encodinggenedetectionbysequencingrevealedthepresenceofCTX-M-15(n=9)inassociationwithotherβ-lactamasegenessuchastemoneira1 OXA-48 (n=8) and sulfhydryl variable 1 (n=5). According to the modified Hodge test and PCR, three isolates (1.96%) were positive carry the bla gene.  Conclusion:TheemergenceofMDRuropathogenicEnterobacteriaceaeisolatesinourcommunityishighlyalarming.Strictmeasureswillberequiredto control the further spread of these uropathogenic isolates. Keywords: Carbapenemase, Enterobacteriaceae, Extended-spectrum-β-lactamases, Moroccan community

A review of Group B Streptococcus maternal-fetal infection

For a long time, infectious diseases have been a major public health problem, mainly maternal fetal infections linked to neonate’s mortality. Streptococcus agalactiae (GBS) infection is one of the main infections, which threat mother-infant health. One of the major challenges that remains to be addressed is therapeutic care strategy, further, the emergence of antibiotic resistant bacteria which constitute a major challenge for clinicians. Concerning GBS an antibiotic prophylaxis regimen is adopted to reduce the vertical transmission of bacteria from mother to neonate and avoid the appearance of complications related to GBS infection such as early onset disease and late onset disease that can lead to stillbirths. Like most bacteria, GBS is susceptible to first-line antibiotics, and in case of resistance, therapy is based on second and third-line antibiotics. The drug susceptibility testing of microorganisms is therefore essential in the therapeutic strategy, because it not only facilitates the orientation of treatment but also help to set up a system supervising the expansion of resistant strains. This present paper constitutes a literature review on Streptococcus agalactiae maternal-fetal infection and summarizes some epidemiological studies on the emergence of this bacterium as well as it provides the prevalence of its resistance to antibiotics and outlines some vaccine development strategies

Prevalence and antibiotic-resistance of <i>Salmonella</i> isolated from food in Morocco

Background: Salmonellosis remains one of the most frequent food-borne diseases worldwide, especially in developing countries. The emergence of antimicrobial resistance in Salmonella isolates from food can potentially compromise the treatment of these infections. This investigation was conducted for the first time in Morocco both to detect the occurrence of Salmonella in foods as well as to determine the antibiotic resistance profile of the Salmonella isolates. Methodology: In total, 11,516 food samples collected from 2002 to 2005 were investigated. Isolated Salmonella were characterized by serotyping and susceptibilities were determined for 15 antimicrobial drugs using the disc diffusion assay. Results: The overall percentage of Salmonella prevalence (n=105) was 0.91% with rates of 71% for slaughterhouses and 9% for seafood. Sixteen different serotypes were identified among 104 Salmonella enterica isolates including serotypes Infantis (n=25), Bredeney (n=13), Blokley (n=11), Typhimurium (n=9), Mbandaka (n=8), Branderup II (n=7), and Kiambu (n=6); 1 isolate of Salmonella enterica belonged to subspecies II salamae. Twenty-nine percent of isolates (n=30/105) were resistant to at least one antimicrobial. Resistance to tetracycline was the most common finding (21%), followed by resistance to ampicillin (13%), amoxicillin+clavulanic acid (9%), streptomycin (7%), chloramphenicol (4%) and nalidixic acid (3,8%). None of the isolates was resistant to 3rd-cephalosporin and fluoroquinolones (i.e. ciprofloxacin). Multidrug resistance (MDR) was seen in 9.5% of the isolates, mainly in S. Typhimurium DT104 with R-type ACSSuT and S. Hadar. Conclusions: Despite a low frequency of Salmonella isolation, S. Typhimurium DT104 was identified in the first step of the food chain. The study points out the need control antibiotic resistance in Salmonella isolated from food in Morocco to avoid the spread of MDR