The RET gene point mutation is the main molecular alteration involved in medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) tumorigenesis. Previous studies in Vietnam mainly consisted of case reports, with limited data on larger sample sizes. In this study, we investigated RET gene mutations in exons 10, 11, and 16 and analyzed clinicopathological features of a series of Vietnamese MTC patients. Methods: We collected 33 tissue samples from patients with MTC and analyzed RET mutations using the Sanger sequencing method. The relationship between hotspot RET mutations (exons 10, 11, 16) and clinicopathological features were investigated. Results: Among the 33 analyzed cases, 17 tumors (52%) harbored RET mutations in exon 10, 11, or 16. A total of 10 distinct genetic alterations were identified, including eight missense mutations and two short indels. Of these, seven were classified as pathogenic mutations based on previous publications, with p.M918T being the most frequent (4 cases), followed by p.C634R (3 cases) and p.C618R (3 cases). Mutations were significantly associated with specific histological patterns, such as the nested/insular pattern (p=.026), giant cells (p=.007), nuclear pleomorphism (p=.018), stippled chromatin (p=.044), and amyloid deposits (p=.024). No mutations were found in germline analyses, suggesting these were somatic alterations. Conclusions: Our results provided the first comprehensive analysis of RET mutations in Vietnamese MTC patients. The most frequent mutation was p.M918T, followed by p.C634R and p.C618R. Mutations in these three exons were linked to specific histopathological features. Information on mutational profiles of patients with MTC will further aid in the development of targeted therapeutics to ensure effective disease management.

The RET gene point mutation is the main molecular alteration involved in medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) tumorigenesis. Previous studies in Vietnam mainly consisted of case reports, with limited data on larger sample sizes. In this study, we investigated RET gene mutations in exons 10, 11, and 16 and analyzed clinicopathological features of a series of Vietnamese MTC patients. Methods: We collected 33 tissue samples from patients with MTC and analyzed RET mutations using the Sanger sequencing method. The relationship between hotspot RET mutations (exons 10, 11, 16) and clinicopathological features were investigated. Results: Among the 33 analyzed cases, 17 tumors (52%) harbored RET mutations in exon 10, 11, or 16. A total of 10 distinct genetic alterations were identified, including eight missense mutations and two short indels. Of these, seven were classified as pathogenic mutations based on previous publications, with p.M918T being the most frequent (4 cases), followed by p.C634R (3 cases) and p.C618R (3 cases). Mutations were significantly associated with specific histological patterns, such as the nested/insular pattern (p=.026), giant cells (p=.007), nuclear pleomorphism (p=.018), stippled chromatin (p=.044), and amyloid deposits (p=.024). No mutations were found in germline analyses, suggesting these were somatic alterations. Conclusions: Our results provided the first comprehensive analysis of RET mutations in Vietnamese MTC patients. The most frequent mutation was p.M918T, followed by p.C634R and p.C618R. Mutations in these three exons were linked to specific histopathological features. Information on mutational profiles of patients with MTC will further aid in the development of targeted therapeutics to ensure effective disease management.

The RET gene point mutation is the main molecular alteration involved in medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) tumorigenesis. Previous studies in Vietnam mainly consisted of case reports, with limited data on larger sample sizes. In this study, we investigated RET gene mutations in exons 10, 11, and 16 and analyzed clinicopathological features of a series of Vietnamese MTC patients. Methods: We collected 33 tissue samples from patients with MTC and analyzed RET mutations using the Sanger sequencing method. The relationship between hotspot RET mutations (exons 10, 11, 16) and clinicopathological features were investigated. Results: Among the 33 analyzed cases, 17 tumors (52%) harbored RET mutations in exon 10, 11, or 16. A total of 10 distinct genetic alterations were identified, including eight missense mutations and two short indels. Of these, seven were classified as pathogenic mutations based on previous publications, with p.M918T being the most frequent (4 cases), followed by p.C634R (3 cases) and p.C618R (3 cases). Mutations were significantly associated with specific histological patterns, such as the nested/insular pattern (p=.026), giant cells (p=.007), nuclear pleomorphism (p=.018), stippled chromatin (p=.044), and amyloid deposits (p=.024). No mutations were found in germline analyses, suggesting these were somatic alterations. Conclusions: Our results provided the first comprehensive analysis of RET mutations in Vietnamese MTC patients. The most frequent mutation was p.M918T, followed by p.C634R and p.C618R. Mutations in these three exons were linked to specific histopathological features. Information on mutational profiles of patients with MTC will further aid in the development of targeted therapeutics to ensure effective disease management.

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.

Objective: In Viet Nam, tuberculosis (TB) prevalence surveys revealed that approximately 98% of individuals with pulmonary TB have TB-presumptive abnormalities on chest radiographs, while 32% have no TB symptoms. This prompted the adoption of the “Double X” strategy, which combines chest radiographs and computer-aided detection with GeneXpert testing to screen for and diagnose TB among vulnerable populations. The aim of this study was to describe demographic, clinical and radiographic characteristics of symptomatic and asymptomatic Double X participants and to assess multilabel radiographic abnormalities on chest radiographs, interpreted by computer-aided detection software, as a possible tool for detecting TB-presumptive abnormalities, particularly for subclinical TB. Methods: Double X participants with TB-presumptive chest radiographs and/or TB symptoms and known risks were referred for confirmatory GeneXpert testing. The demographic and clinical characteristics of all Double X participants and the subset with confirmed TB were summarized. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression modelling was used to evaluate associations between participant characteristics and subclinical TB and between computer-aided detection multilabel radiographic abnormalities and TB. Results: From 2020 to 2022, 96 631 participants received chest radiographs, with 67 881 (70.2%) reporting no TB symptoms. Among 1144 individuals with Xpert-confirmed TB, 51.0% were subclinical. Subclinical TB prevalence was higher in older age groups, non-smokers, those previously treated for TB and the northern region. Among 11 computer-aided detection multilabel radiographic abnormalities, fibrosis was associated with higher odds of subclinical TB. Discussion: In Viet Nam, Double X community case finding detected pulmonary TB, including subclinical TB. Computer-aided detection software may have the potential to identify subclinical TB on chest radiographs by classifying multilabel radiographic abnormalities, but further research is needed.

Objectives: Vibrio parahaemolyticus is a major foodborne pathogen in aquatic animals and a threat to human health worldwide. This study investigated the prevalence, antimicrobial resistance, antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs), and biofilm formation of V. parahaemolyticus strains isolated from fish mariculture environments in Cat Ba Island, Vietnam. Methods: In total, 150 rearing water samples were collected from 10 fish mariculture farms in winter and summer. A polymerase chain reaction assay was used to identify V. parahaemolyticus, its virulence factors, and ARGs. The antimicrobial resistance patterns and biofilm formation ability of V. parahaemolyticus strains were investigated using the disk diffusion test and a microtiter plate-based crystal violet method, respectively. Results: Thirty-seven V. parahaemolyticus isolates were recovered from 150 samples. The frequencies of the tdh and trh genes among V. parahaemolyticus isolates were 8.1% and 21.6%, respectively. More than 90% of isolates were susceptible to ceftazidime, cefotaxime, and chloramphenicol, but over 72% were resistant to ampicillin, tetracycline, and erythromycin. Furthermore, 67.57% of isolates exhibited multidrug resistance. The presence of ARGs related to gentamicin (aac(3)-IV), tetracycline (tetA) and ciprofloxacin (qnrA) in V. parahaemolyticus isolates was identified. Conversely, no ARGs related to ampicillin or erythromycin resistance were detected. Biofilm formation capacity was detected in significantly more multidrug-resistant isolates (64.9%) than non-multidrug-resistant isolates (18.9%). Conclusion Mariculture environments are a potential source of antibiotic-resistant V.parahaemolyticus and a hotspot for virulence genes and ARGs diffusing to aquatic environments. Thus, the prevention of antibiotic-resistant foodborne vibriosis in aquatic animals and humans requires continuous monitoring.

Salmonella spp. are pathogens involved in most salmonellosis in rabbits. This study examined Salmonella disease in rabbits raised in Thua Thien Hue, Vietnam. Two hundred and 56 rectal swabs of rabbits were taken, and a carrier rate of 33.98% was found. In addition, all the isolated Salmonella spp. strains were 100% motile; positive for H2S, catalase, Voges Proskauer, coagulase, citrate, maltose, and dextrose; and negative for indole, methyl red, urease, oxidase, sucrose, and lactose. The Kirby-Bauer method showed that these Salmonella strains were susceptible to doxycycline (93.2%), tetracycline (84.1%), and levofloxacin (65.9%). On the other hand, they were highly resistant to streptomycin (95.5%), ampicillin (93.2%), colistin (40.9%), and gentamicin (34.1%). Furthermore, polymerase chain reaction used to screen for virulence and specific genes of Salmonella strains showed that all Salmonella strains isolated carried InvA, fimA, and Stn.

Background: Diabetes and psychiatric disorders often co-occur. The prevalence of depression in a person with diabetes is two times higher than that of the general population. During the last decade, the prevalence of diabetes in Vietnam has nearly doubled. However, there is little data regarding depressive symptoms among people with diabetes. Therefore, this study aims to explore the level of depressive symptoms and its associated factors among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Hanoi, Vietnam. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 519 patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at the Agricultural General Hospital, one of the largest primary care hospitals for diabetes in Hanoi, Vietnam. Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) was used to assess the severity of depressive symptoms. Multivariate Tobit and logistic regression models were applied to examine factors associated with the severity of depressive symptoms and medication adherence Results: Approximately 45.2% of participants were identified as having depressive symptoms at different levels. The proportion of patients with mild, moderate, moderately severe, and severe depressive symptoms is 36.0%, 7.6%, 1.4%, and 0.2% respectively. Regarding the treatment process, patients being treated for their diabetes for a longer time were more likely to have depressive symptoms. DDepression was positively linked to currently drinking alcohol (Coef = 1.04; 95% CI = 0.30-1.78), having comorbidities (Coef = 1.08; 95% CI = 0.15; 2.01) and having irregular physical activities (Coef = -1.28; 95% CI = -2.18; -0.38). Patients with severe depressive symptoms (higher PHQ-9 score) were more likely to be non-adherent to their medications in the last month (AOR = 1.30; 95% CI = 1.17; 1.46). Conclusion Our study shows that a high percentage of patients with diabetes have depressive symptoms. There is a strong association between having depressive symptoms and non-adherence to medications in the last month. To reduce the risk of developing depressive symptoms, depression should be screened at the initial treatment process and patients should be advised to avoid alcohol and to engage in physical activities regularly.
Depression ; Medication Adherence ; Vietnam

Aims: To isolate and characterize the lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains from the “mam chua ca ro” (sour fermented fish) in the South of Vietnam and investigate their potential anti-bacterial properties. Methodology and results: Four LAB strains (MCR1, MCR2, MCR3 and MCR4) were isolated from the "mam chua ca ro" product and their anti-bacterial activity was determined using the spot assay and the paper disc diffusion method. The isolated LABs can inhibit Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Staphyloccocus aureus ATCC 25923 and Vibrio parahaemolyticus BV016 and produce bacteriocin to control the growth of E. coli ATCC 25922 and S. aureus ATCC 25923, except V. parahaemolyticus. MCR2 was chosen to sequence 16S rRNA of Pediococcus acidilactic. Conclusion, significance and impact of study On the basis of their prominent anti-pathogenic bacteria activity, LAB strains isolated from Vietnamese sour-fermented fish products were verified as prospective probiotics.
Lactobacillales--isolation & ; purification ; Pediococcus acidilactici