Genotypes of hepatitis C virus are clinically relevant to epidemiology, prognosis and therapeutical management of HCV infection. Our study aims to compare different methods for HCV genotyping. Hepatitis C genotypes and subtypes of infected patients in Ho Chi Minh city was determined by serological typing using HCV serotyping 1-6 (Murex company), by molecular typing using Innolipa HCV II assay (Innogenetics NY) and direct sequencing of core and NS5b region. Our results show that the hepatitis C virus by analysing the sequences of the core and NS5b regions gave concordant results. The NS5b region is reliable for the identification of HCV subtype 6 circulating in Viet Nam.
Hepacivirus ; Viruses

Molecular epidemiological study of the HIV infection in Vietnam showed that recombinated HIV-1 subtype CRF01 (E subtype according to old classification) is still largely predominant either among injection drug users or persons infected though sexual intercourse. However, the presence of other HIV-1 subtypes B, C and other recombinated viruses indicated that HIV infection in Vietnam might become more complex with entry of different generic HIV-1 subtypes and other recombinated viruses
HIV, epidemiology ; Coitus

The initial study of natural protection against HIV-1 infection among exposed uninfected intravenous drug users in Vietnam showed that this people had more immune system with activation than normal people. The peripheral blood monocysts in some people resist disease-induced viruses in vitro by two mechanisms: target cells (T CD4) resist or less sensitivity with HIV-1 virus or inhibit viruses from T CD8 cells
HIV ; epidemiology ; blood ; cells

The role of natural killer cell in natural protection against HIV-1 infection was studies on 37 injected drug users (IDUs) who had been in high risk of exposure to HIV-1 but remain uninfected (EU) for many years follow-up. A comparison had been conducted between 10 IDUs who underwent seroconversion and 28 unexposed blood donors (controls). The results showed that the lytic activities and cytokines production of natural killer cells were significantly augmented in EU IDUs. This findings supports the role of natural killers cells in contribution to the natural immune response against HIV-1 infection among exposed uninfected IDUs
HIV ; prevention & control ; Killer Cells, Natural

Objective: The purpose of this survey was to estimate the prevalence of viral load (VL) suppression and emergence of HIV drug resistance (HIVDR) among individuals receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) for 36 months or longer in Viet Nam using a nationally representative sampling method. Methods: The survey was conducted between May and August 2014 using a two-stage cluster design. Sixteen ART clinics were selected using probability proportional to proxy size sampling, and patients receiving ART for at least 36 months were consecutively enrolled. Epidemiological information and blood specimens were collected for HIV-1 VL and HIVDR testing; HIVDR was defined by the Stanford University HIVDR algorithm. Results: Overall, 365 eligible individuals were recruited with a mean age of 38.2 years; 68.4% were men. The mean time on ART was 75.5 months (95% confidence interval [CI]: 69.0–81.9 months), and 93.7% of the patients were receiving non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor-based regimens. Of the 365 individuals, 345 (94.7%, 95% CI: 64.1–99.4%) had VL below 1000 copies/mL and 19 (4.6%, 95% CI: 2.8-–7.5) had HIVDR mutations. Discussion Our nationally representative survey found a high level of VL suppression and a low prevalence of HIVDR among individuals who received ART for at least 36 months in Viet Nam. Continued surveillance for HIVDR is important for evaluating and improving HIV programs.