Background: Monitoring antimalarial drug quality should be conducted regularly in locals to enhance the effect of treatment for malaria \r\n', u'Objective: to study and analyze antimalarial drug quality\r\n', u'Subjects and methods: The study was carried out in 2007 for 5 provinces supported by the Global Fund: Ha Giang, Dien Bien, Thanh Hoa, Quang Tri and Gia Lai. Material were malaria drugs: artesunat, chloroquin, quinine, mefloquin, fansidar\u2026etc\r\n', u'Results and conclusion: The strict supervision on the anti-malarial drug quality by the National Malaria Control Program was very good and no substandard antimalarial drugs were detected. Evaluation of antimalarial drug quality and control was made for finding out the counterfeit drugs through sentinel sites in both private and public sectors. A total of 268 samples were collected, of which 13 samples were found substandard drugs (8 samples collected in private and 5 samples in public sectors). No counterfeit drugs were found. \r\n', u'
Antimalarial drug ; quality ; monitoring

Strongyloidiasis, a chronic helminth infection caused by the parasitic nematode Strongyloides stercoralis, has various clinical manifestations. Although rare, duodenal obstructions and venous thromboembolism are possible complications of strongyloidiasis.This paper presents the case of a 47-year-old Vietnamese male with a history of right lower limb edema, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal discomfort lasting for four months. Venous Doppler ultrasound detected a thrombus in the right femoral vein, while an abdominal CT scan revealed a mass lesion suggestive of a lower bile duct tumor. Esophageogastroduodenoscopy showed a friable duodenal cap mucosa with multiple ulcers and edematous mucosa of the second part of the duodenum that caused a partial lumen obstruction. The final histological examination of the biopsy specimen revealed chronic duodenitis with larvae consistent with Strongyloides stercoralis. The patient was treated with Ivermectin for two weeks and anticoagulation therapy for three months. After treatment and a six-month follow-up, the patient's gastrointestinal symptoms and leg swelling resolved completely. This is the first documented case of a patient in Vietnam with strongyloidiasis who presented with venous thromboembolism and duodenal obstruction. (Korean J Gastroenterol 2023;81:270-275)

Toxocariasis, a zoonotic infection transmitted by Toxocara canis (from dogs) and Toxocara cati (from cats) larvae, poses rare but severe risks to humans. We present a case of hepatic visceral larva migrans (VLM) caused by Toxocara canis in a 21-year-old male with a history of close contact with a pet dog. Initial symptoms and imaging findings mimicked a pyogenic liver abscess. The initial laboratory investigations revealed neutrophilia and elevated levels of IgE. Despite broad-spectrum antibiotics, persistent fever prompted further investigation. Subsequent serological testing for Toxocara antibodies and histopathological analysis of liver tissue demonstrating eosinophil infiltrates and Charcot-Leyden crystals led to a confirmed diagnosis of a liver abscess caused by Toxocara canis. Serological testing for Toxocara antibodies and histopathological analysis of liver tissue confirmed a Toxocara canis-induced liver abscess. Albendazole treatment yielded significant clinical improvement. This case highlights the necessity of considering toxocariasis in liver abscess differentials, particularly in high-seroprevalence regions like Vietnam. Relying solely on serological tests may be insufficient, emphasizing the need for corroborative evidence, including invasive procedures like liver biopsy, for accurate hepatic toxocariasis diagnosis.

Background: The genus Alpinia is one of the diverse genera in Thua Thien Hue province, in which many species have been used as medicine. But until now, studies on A. vietnamica have rarely been reported. Objectives: The present study was aimed at the determination of microscopic characteristics and chemical compositions as well as evaluating the antioxidant and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities of A. vietnamica. Materials and methods: A. vietnamica was collected in Phong Dien district, Thua Thien Hue province. Anatomic structures and powder properties were determined by the microscopic method. Phytochemical screening was conducted by specific chemical reactions. The Folin-Ciocalteau method and the aluminum chloride-flavonoid assay, respectively, were used to quantify the total polyphenol (TPC) and total flavonoid contents (TFC). Antioxidant activity was assessed using the DPPH assay, while acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity was evaluated using the Ellman method. Results: The microscopic characteristics of this species have been described. Phytochemical analysis results revealed the presence of flavonoids, coumarins, and tannins in A. vietnamica. The ethanol extract from the aerial part of A. vietnamica had higher polyphenol and flavonoid contents than the underground part extract. Moreover, this extract also displayed a stronger DPPH radical scavenging and exhibited AChE inhibitory activities. Conclusion: This is the first report on the microscopic characteristics, chemical compositions, and biological activities of A. vietnamica.

Purpose: Cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is recommended to identify intracranial lesions in girls with central precocious puberty (CPP). Yet, the use of routine MRI scans in girls with CPP is still debatable, as pathological findings in girls 6 years of age or older with CPP are limited. Therefore, we aimed to identify the prevalence of brain lessons in CPP patients stratified by age group (0–2, 2–6, and 6–8 years). Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study recruited 257 girls diagnosed with CPP for 6 years (2010–2016). MRI was used to detect brain abnormalities. Levels of luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and sex hormones in blood samples were measured. Results: Most girls had no brain lesions (82.9%, n=213), and of the minor proportion of girls with CPP that exhibited brain lesions (17.1%, n=44), 32 girls had organic CPP. Pathological findings were detected in 33.3% (2 of 6) of girls aged 0–2 years, 15.6% (5 of 32) of girls aged 2–6 years, and 3.6% (8 of 219) of girls aged 6–8 years. Hypothalamic hamartoma and tumors in the pituitary stalk were the most common pathological findings. The likelihood of brain lesions decreased with age. Girls with organic CPP were more likely to be younger (6.1±2.4 vs. 7.3±1.3 years, p<0.01) than girls with idiopathic CPP. Conclusion Older girls appeared to have a lower prevalence of organic CPP. Clinicians should cautiously use cranial MRI for girls aged 6–8 years with CPP.

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.