5 methods for the detection of new leprosy cases have been implemented in 6 provinces of the central of Vietnam, namely Danang, Khanhhoa, Binhdinh, Lamdong, Ninhthuan and Binhthuan. The results of each method were detailed evaluated and analysed. Contact survey has proved to be effective with the detection rate of 480 per 100.000. While group survey had no good result with the detection rate of 11.94 per 100.000. The method of mass survey was expensive, not so effective (12.07 per 100.000). It should be applied in areas where the prevalence of the disease is high. Notification of patients through general health system was relatively fruitful (152.20 per 100.000). Passive method of detection through health education was very easy to conduct and economic. This method must be carried out in every where
Leprosy ; Leprostatic Agents

Background: Nha Trang city located in central Viet Nam, has had dramatic economic development in recent years. The economic development has also leads to changes in the environment. Previous studies showed that cancers were closely related to environmental factors, but there was no study on this issue in Nha Trang city. Objectives: The study aimed to describe the cancer cases that were recorded in the cancer registration and the related environmental factors in Vinh Luong commune and the three neighborhood communes of Nha Trang city. Subjects and method: 192 patients who were diagnosed with cancer in the provincial general hospital and other hospitals from 1/1/2000 to 30/9/2006 and have resided in 4 above communes. Water samples collected from 14 water-wells from these communes were tested for chemical pollution and bacteria index. 20 sites in Van Dang village were tested for radioactive pollution levels. Results: Average crude morbidity of cancer per 100,000 inhabitants per year in Van Dang village and Vinh Luong commune and in the 4 communes as a whole, were 64.9, 51 and 53.3, respectively. The rates for male and female were 65.0 and 41.0, respectively. The most common cancers in women were cervical and breast cancers (11.8% and 9.2%, respectively). For men, leading cancers were liver cancer (31.9%) and lung cancer (14.7%). Almost all of the water samples did not meet the hygiene standard for nitrate (NO3) and coliform. Natural radioactive levels in these 4 communes were normal. Conclusion: Van Dang village had the highest cancer prevalence per 100,000 habitants compared to the other villages of Vinh Luong commune, but it was still lower than that of some other provinces. Most of the water samples collected from the water-wells did not met standard for nitrate levels and coliform.
Cancer ; environmental factor ; water pollution

Background: There are many methods used in epidemiological studies of tuberculosis (TB) bacteria but Spoligotyping method is widely used with high accuracy, simple procedure, and carried out on strains containing a little of IS6110 segment \r\n', u'Objectives: To improve Spoligotyping technique and apply this technique to classify Mycobacterium tuberculosis\r\n', u'Subjects and method: Subjects and methods: The study included 12 medical waste samples collected at Thai Binh Hospital of Tuberculosis and 19 samples obtained from the The Hanoi Institute for Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases. Spoligo model of 31 samples were analyzed based on Spotclust and SpoIDB4 database and divided up into family and subfamily.\r\n', u'Results: Spoligotyping technique has good results with the PCR product amplified 40 cycles and presented the film in 18 hours. Obtained results in 31 medical waste samples belong to 4 families: Beijing, EAI, T1 and H3-LAM9. EAI and Beijing are dominant families with 45.16% and 38.7%), respectively. T1 and H3-LAM9 are 12.9% and 3.22%, respectively. The number of samples in the study is little but the obtained rate of different spoligo models of strains are quite diversified (41.9%)\r\n', u'Conclusion: This result is relatively appropriate with previous studies on the distribution of EAI and Beijing families in Vietnam and the world. Spligotyping technique distinguished samples belonging to Beijing or non-Beijing families, which support for clinical treatment and development of new vaccines.\r\n', u'\r\n', u'\r\n', u'
Mycobacterium tuberculosis ; Tuberculosis

Background: In Vietnam, Dengue Fever/Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever (DF/DHF) is one of ten contagious diseases causing epidemics with the highest prevalence.\r\n', u'Objectives: To describe some characteristics of DF/DHF epidemic in Khanhhoa province in 2005. \r\n', u'Subjects and methods: The descriptive study based on available data obtained from the surveillance reporting system.\r\n', u'Results: Total reported cases were: 5.365 (morbidity rate = 469.58 per 100.000) and 4 deaths (CFR = 0,074%).446 of 1.661 Mac Elisa tested cases were positives (positively = 26.9%). The positive cases in male were higher than that in female. Almost all of the positive cases were less than 15 years of age. Virus serotype D1 and D2 were isolated in the epidemic. 5 of 7 districts (except 2 mountainous districts) had outbreaks. The epidemic started in April and stopped in December. Ninhhoa district was the first location of the outbreak and Vanninh district was the last one. Geographical distribution of the epidemic was as follows: costal communes=54.6%, delta communes = 30.3%, urban communes =15.1%. The epidemic level was medium (>20% - <50% of communes having the epidemic). "Pilot intervention communes" had 4 times the higher risk of DF/DHF than "non pilot intervention communes". \r\n', u'Conclusions: IEC activities for preventing DF/DHF should be strengthened. For maintaining the low mosquito and breutau index, we need routine preventive actions. Authorities need to consider and to consolidate the activities of Pilot intervention communes. Coastal communes should be supplied with running water. \r\n', u'\r\n', u'
dengue fever/dengue haemorrhagic fever ; epidemic

Three yeast strains (Hue-1, Hue-8, and Hue-19) with strong heavy metal tolerance were isolated from mangosteen from Hue city, Vietnam. They exhibited identical phenotype and phylogeny. Sequence analysis of the D1/D2 region of the LSU rRNA gene and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region demonstrated that the closest relative of these strains is Papiliotrema sp. with 2.12% and 3.55–3.7% divergence in the D1/D2 domain, and ITS domain, respectively. Based on the physiological, biochemical, and molecular data, the three strains belong to a novel species of Papiliotrema genus, for which the namePapiliotrema huenov sp. nov. is proposed. These strains are highly tolerant of heavy metals compared to other yeasts, being able to grow in the presence of 2 mM Pb (II), 2 mM Cd (II), and up to 5 mM Ni (II), but no growth was observed in the presence of 1 mM As (III).

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

Background: Primary nephrotic syndrome in adult patients is a common sign of patients with primary glomerular disease. Objective: To evaluate the responsiveness of adult patients with primary nephrotic syndrome to corticosteroid alone or in combination with cyclophosphamid and the treatment - related complications. Subjects and method: Based on pathological findings 91 patients with primary nephrotic syndrome divided into 2 groups: group 1 (75 patients) were assigned to receive corticosteroid alone at 1 mg/kg/day, group 2 (16 patients) were assigned to receive the corticosteroid at 0.5 mg/kg/day and cyclophosphamid at 2 mg/kg/day. 11 non - responders from group 1 were switched to group 2 after 6 months of treatment by \r\n', u'corticosteroid alone. The response to therapy was assessed after 3 months and 6 months of treatment. Results:In group 1 the number of patients responding to corticosteroid alone was increasing from 38 after 3 months to 50 after 6 months. In group 2 the number of patients responding to combined protocol was increasing from 4 (14.8%) to 12 (44.4%). The most frequently seen corticosteroid - related complication was cushingoid which is reversible after reducing dose or stop treatment. Severe complications were not common. For the whole group taking cyclophosphamid leucocytopenia, was seen in 4/27 (14.8%) patients, in subgroup of women hypo - amenorrhea was observed in 3/15 (20%) of cases. Conclusions: Results of study encourage the prolongation of treatment. Sterility and if possible preventive measures should be taken into consideration when cyclophosphamid is selected for young patients in reproductive age.\r\n', u'
Nephrotic Syndrome/ therapy

Papiliotrema huenov was previously reported to be highly tolerant of a range of extremely toxic heavy metals. This study aimed to identify the potential of P. huenov to remove manganese and copper from aqueous solution. Physical conditions which affect removal of Mn(II) and Cu(II) were determined. Optimal temperature for adsorption of both metal ions was 30°C, and optimal pH for maximum uptake of Mn(II) and Cu(II) were 5 and 6, respectively. Under these conditions, living cells of P. huenov accumulated up to 75.58% of 110 mg/ L Mn(II) and 70.5% of 128 mg/L Cu(II) over 120 h, whereas, the removal efficiency of metal ions by dead cells over 1 h was 60.3% and 56.5%, respectively. These results indicate that living cells are more effective than dead biomass for bioremediation, but that greater time is required. The experimental data extends the potential use of P. huenov in biosorption and bioaccumulation of toxic heavy metals to copper and manganese, two of the most common industrial contaminants.

Objectives: The prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has increased, particularly among individuals who have recovered from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. Health literacy is considered a “social vaccine” that helps people respond effectively to the pandemic. We aimed to investigate the association between long COVID-19 and PTSD, and to examine the modifying role of health literacy in this association. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at 18 hospitals and health centers in Vietnamfrom December 2021 to October 2022. We recruited 4,463 individuals who had recovered from COVID-19 infection for at least 4 weeks. Participants provided information about their sociodemographics, clinical parameters, health-related behaviors, health literacy (usingthe 12-item short-form health literacy scale), long COVID-19 symptoms and PTSD (Impact Event Scale-Revised score of 33 or higher). Logistic regression models were used to examine associations and interactions. Results: Out of the study sample, 55.9% had long COVID-19 symptoms, and 49.6% had PTSD.Individuals with long COVID-19 symptoms had a higher likelihood of PTSD (odds ratio [OR], 1.86; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.63–2.12; p < 0.001). Higher health literacy was associated with a lower likelihood of PTSD (OR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.97–0.99; p = 0.001). Compared to those without long COVID-19 symptoms and the lowest health literacy score, those with long COVID-19 symptoms and a 1-point health literacy increment had a 3% lower likelihood of PTSD (OR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.96–0.99; p = 0.001). Conclusion Health literacy was found to be a protective factor against PTSD and modified the negative impact of long COVID-19 symptoms on PTSD.

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.