1.Plasma asymmetric dimethylarginine and its association with some of cardiovascular disease risk factors in chronic kidney disease
Tam Vo ; Thang Hoang Viet ; Quoc Hoang Trong A
The Medical Journal of Malaysia 2019;74(3):209-214
Introduction: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) usually has
increase of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) levels.
ADMA is a cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor and its
elevation associated with other CVD risk factors at CKD
leads to increasing risk of death. In this article, we aimed to
identify levels and elevation proportion of plasma ADMA in
CKD as well as association between ADMA with CVD risk
factors.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed at Hue
Central Hospital from 2012-2016 on 176 CKD and 64 control
subjects. ADMA levels were measured by using the enzyme
linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method.
Results: Mean ADMA level was markedly higher (p<0.001) in
all patients combined (0.73±0.24µmol/L) than in control
subjects (0.47±0.13µmol/L). Mean ADMA levels in advanced
kidney disease were higher than control subjects. ADMA
levels correlated inversely and relatively strictly to estimated
glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (r = -0.689; p<0.001),
haemoglobin (r = -0.525; p<0.001) and haematocrit (r = -
0.491; p<0.001); correlated favourably and relatively strictly
to serum creatinine (r = 0.569; p<0.001) and serum urea (r =
0.642; p<0.001). ADMA elevation was predicted
simultaneously by eGFR<60 mL/min/1.73m2 (p<0.001),
anaemia (p=0.002), body mass index (BMI) (p=0.011) and
high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (p=0.041). Cutoff of ≥0.68µmol/L, ADMA levels predict reduction of
eGFR<60 mL/min/1.73m2
, sensitivity of 86.9 %, specificity of
82.6%, area under ROC 92.4% (95%CI: 88.6-96.1%).
2.Gap in measles vaccination coverage among children aged 9 months to 10 years in Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam, 2014
Hoang Quoc Cuong ; Ho Xuan Nguyen ; Pham Van Hau ; Nguyen Le Khanh Ha ; Phan Trong Lan ; Anthony Mounts ; Tran Minh Nhu Nguyen
Western Pacific Surveillance and Response 2019;10(4):39-45
Introduction:
When Viet Nam launched the Expanded Programme on Immunization in 1981, it covered six vaccines, including measles. Subsequently, Viet Nam experienced a marked reduction in measles infections. A nationwide measles epidemic occurred in April 2014 and an investigation found that 86% of affected children aged 9 months to 10 years were not fully vaccinated; therefore, understanding the reasons for not vaccinating could improve vaccination coverage.
Methods:
We performed a cross-sectional study to determine vaccination coverage and reasons for non-vaccination among children aged 9 months to 10 years in six districts in Ho Chi Minh City with the highest number of measles cases in 2014. Measles vaccination status of the youngest child in each household was determined and reasons for non-vaccination were investigated. A χ2 test and multiple logistic regression were used to identify independent predictors of full vaccination.
Results:
In total, 207 children were enrolled during the study period in 2014. Full measles vaccination coverage was 55% in these households, and 73% of parents were aware of the importance of measles vaccination to protect their children. We found that the father’s education level (under high school versus high school and above) and the site where the survey was conducted were significantly associated with vaccination status.
Conclusion
The vaccination coverage was lower than the coverage reported by district preventive medicine centres of the seven study wards. Lack of the second vaccination was a key obstacle to eliminating the vaccination gap. A catch-up mass vaccination campaign or health promotion of measles vaccination directed towards parents should be considered to improve vaccination coverage.
3.Large-scale salmonella outbreak associated with banh mi, Viet Nam, 2024
Tinh Huu Ho ; Phuong Hoai Hoang ; Lam Vo Thi Ngoc ; Minh Nguyen Dinh ; Dong Do Thanh ; Viet Nguyen Dinh ; O Phan Van ; Phuong Nguyen Thi Lan ; Thanh Nguyen Quoc ; Nhan Ho The ; Nhan Le Dinh Trong ; Chinh Van Dang
Western Pacific Surveillance and Response 2024;15(3):36-42
Objective: To investigate the cause of a foodborne outbreak that occurred in Dong Nai province, Viet Nam, in 2024, and implement control measures.
Methods: An initial investigation was conducted to confirm the outbreak, which was followed by epidemiological and environmental investigations to find the plausible causative food item. Clinical specimens and food samples were tested to identify the pathogen.
Results: A total of 547 symptomatic cases were recorded, of whom two were in severe condition requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and ventilation, one of whom died. Among 99 interviewed cases, the mean incubation time was 9 hours (range 2–24 hours), with the main symptoms being fever, abdominal pain, diarrhoea and vomiting. All patients had eaten banh mi from a local bakery. Salmonella spp. were identified in food samples and clinical specimens. The bakery halted production, and the outbreak ended after 1 week.
Discussion: All the patients were exposed to only one food in common, which facilitated the investigation process. This outbreak is a reminder to small retailers and take-away shops of the importance of food safety management in preventing similar future outbreaks. All food handlers must comply with food hygiene principles, especially in hot temperatures, which boosts bacterial growth.