Background: \u03b2-thalassemia is a hereditary disease caused by disorder in \u03b2-globin chain synthesis process. In this research, multiplex-PCR was used in combination with blood chemistry assays and clinical symptoms to detect \u03b2-globin mutations. Objectives: (1) to identify the \u03b2-thalassemia mutation spectrum in the North of Vietnam; (2) to determine the relation between biochemistry values and types of mutations. Subject and methods: Blood samples collected from 60 pediatric patients were used in screening assays (hemoglobin counting, red blood cell counting, hematocrit\ufffd? and multiplex-PCR to detect 6 point mutations with high prevalence in the region. Results: \r\n', u'(1) Of 60 blood samples collected from pediatric patients, 30 (50%) had mutation in codon 17 (A\u2192T), 6 (10%) had a frameshift mutation in codons 41/42 and 4 (6%) had both types of these mutations; (2) The average onset time in patients with FS 41/42 mutation was earlier than that of patients with codon 17 (A\u2192T) mutation, whereas transfusion interval did not differ significantly among these patients; (3) Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) was lower in patients with homozygous mutations (\u03b2o) (average 64.8) than in those with heterozygous mutations (\u03b2+) (average 72.7). Conclusions: (1) multiplex-PCR is an effective technique in identifying the mutation spectrum of \u03b2-globin gene in the North of Vietnam; (2) Biochemistry assays should be associated with molecular techniques in diagnose of \u03b2-thalassemia\r\n', u'\r\n', u'\r\n', u'
beta-Thalassemia ; Thalassemia ; Genetic Diseases ; Inborn ; Mutation

Background: With the help of Japan, the Center for Research and Production of vaccines and biologicals, Hanoi has received a WHO standard measles vaccine production technology, including techniques in the examination of vaccine quality. Therefore, it is needed to be initiative on production of measles antibody. Objective: Study on production of measles antibody in rabbits and selecting the appropriate antibody for production of high titre antibody, which meets the standard of vaccine quality control in Vietnam. Subject and methods: Using the measles antigen from Edmonston and AIK-C strains, which were provided by the Kitasato Institute, to produce measles antibody. Making immunoreaction in rabbits and determination of neutralization antibody titre. Results and Conclusion: Measles antigen of Edmonston Vero 7/P2 strain used in the production of measles antibody in rabbit created the highest antibody titre in comparison with AIK-C strain from vero cell and FL cell supplied by the Kitasato Institute of Japan. Antibody titre of Edmonston Vero 7/P2 strain reached up to 1/8192 and met the sera standard required for measles vaccine quality control, it is similar to the measles sera to be produced from the Kitasato Institute.
measles antibody ; antibody titre

Background: Acute gastroenterophathy usually caused by the Rota virus for children under 5 years old. Objectives: To present various types of data on epidemiology of ROTA virus diarrhea in Ho Chi Minh city from 12/2006-11/2007. Material and method: The data were collected from 500 stool specimens of diarrhea diagnosed chilren hosptalised at Thuy Dien Pediatric hospital 1, Ho Chi Minh city from December/2006 to November /2007. Results:There were 322 rotavirus-positive specimens, representing 64.4%. The proportions of monthly distribution of cases with diarrhea due to rotavirus were 90.1%, 54.39%, 85.37%, 74.51%, 72.92%, 41.67%, 26.67%, 58.33%, 79.31%, 52.63%, 69.05% and 57.78%, respectively. The numbers of rotavirus-positive cases in male and female were 216 (65.26%) and 106 (62.72%), respectively. The proportions of Rota virus positive children compared to total number of diarrheal cases with age 0-3, 3-6, 6-12, 12-24, 24-36 and over 36 months were 2.80%, 7.76%, 40.06%, 40.68%, 5.28% and 3.42%, respectively.\r\n', u'The results of typing identification indicated that the phenotypes of 98 among 100 specimens were identified (98%) in which there were sixty-one specimens of G1P8 (61%), one specimen of G2P8 (1%), fourteen specimens of G3P8 (14%), four of specimens of G4P8 (4%), eighteen specimens of GmixedP8 (18%). There were only two specimens of GnontypeableP8 (2%). Conclusion: Further studies should be carried out to clear this issue.\r\n', u'
Rotavirus ; gel type.