Background: \u2018Giao co lam\u2019 (Jiaogulan), a valuable medicinal plant is considered ginseng for the poor. However, there were difficulties in planting and collecting because of its biodiversity. Objectives: Study on the biodiversity of various species of the Gynostemma Blume genus in Cao Bang province in order to classify species in this genus. Subjects and method: The samples of medicinal plant \u2018giao co lam\u2019 (Jiaogulan) in Cao Bang have been collected, described and identified scientific name. Results: These samples were identified with scientific names and classified based on both morphological and DNA characters. As a result, \u2018giao co lam\u2019 (Jiaogulan) in Cao Bang, belongs to two species: G. pentaphyllum (Thunb.) Makino and G. laxum (Wall.) Cogn. The species G. pentaphyllum can be divided into two varieties, including: G. pentaphyllum (Thunb.) Makino var. 1 and Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Thunb.) Makino var. 2. Conclusion: The quantity of active material in each varieties of these species might be different, so further study is required on the medicinal plant \u2018giao co lam\u2019 not only in Cao Bang but also the rest of Vietnam.
Gynostemma Blume ; giao cao lam ; Jiaogulan ; biodiversity

Several factors presumed to facilitate the transmission of Taenia spp. were reported in Vietnam. We conducted a cross-sectional study taking questionnaires from 1,185 participants, and collecting 1,151 sera and 1,036 stool samples in northern Vietnam. Sera were examined for circulating antigens of Taenia solium cysticerci using ELISA, stools for Taenia eggs by Kato-Katz smear, and copro-antigens by ELISA. Ag-ELISA revealed 4.6% antigen positivity, indicating infection with viable cysticerci. Taenia eggs were detected in 1.5% of participants. Copro-antigens were found in 2.8% of participants. Eating raw meat and/or vegetables was significantly associated with the presence of copro-antigen (OR=8.6, 95% CI: 1.16-63.9, P=0.01). Considering the high taeniasis prevalence and the associated threat, public health attention should be given to treat the tapeworm carriers in the projected areas.

Several factors presumed to facilitate the transmission of Taenia spp. were reported in Vietnam. We conducted a cross-sectional study taking questionnaires from 1,185 participants, and collecting 1,151 sera and 1,036 stool samples in northern Vietnam. Sera were examined for circulating antigens of Taenia solium cysticerci using ELISA, stools for Taenia eggs by Kato-Katz smear, and copro-antigens by ELISA. Ag-ELISA revealed 4.6% antigen positivity, indicating infection with viable cysticerci. Taenia eggs were detected in 1.5% of participants. Copro-antigens were found in 2.8% of participants. Eating raw meat and/or vegetables was significantly associated with the presence of copro-antigen (OR=8.6, 95% CI: 1.16-63.9, P=0.01). Considering the high taeniasis prevalence and the associated threat, public health attention should be given to treat the tapeworm carriers in the projected areas.