Contamination of water and air by soil-transmitted helminth eggs was investigated in a small village located in the suburbs of Hanoi, Vietnam. Water samples were collected from 29 households, two schools, two kindergartens, one restaurant, three ponds and 23 ditch sites during the rainy season. Water samples were also collected at the same places, except for one household and one restaurant, during the dry season. The water samples collected from households, schools, kindergartens and restaurant were comprised of well-water and rain-water. These samples included both water filtrated with sand and gravel and non-filtrated water. Two-liter water samples were examined for helminth eggs by either a centrifugation or flotation method. The contamination of air by helminth eggs was assessed by the method of Kroeger et al. (1992). Eggs in air were trapped on adhesive tapes hanging in rooms and in the area around 29 houses, two schools, two kindergartens, one restaurant and 18 utility poles.
Out of 63 water samples collected from households in the rainy season, helminth eggs were found in four water samples; one from non-filtrated well-water and three from filtrated well-water samples. The one non-filtrated water sample contained six eggs of Toxocara sp., while the three filtrated water samples contained one egg each of Trichuris sp., Trichiuris sp. and Taenia sp. No eggs were found in the water samples collected from schools, kindergartens or the restaurant in the rainy season. All water samples collected from ponds and ditches in the rainy season contained many helminth eggs. The eggs found were Ascaris sp., Trichuris sp., Toxocara sp., Ascaridia galli, hookworm, Taenia sp. and Fasciola sp. Examination of the adhesive tapes hanging in the air showed that four sites were contaminated by helminth eggs, i. e. one site near the house, two sites near the school and one site at a utility pole. The species of eggs found were Trichuris sp., Ascaridia galli and Taenia sp. The number of eggs found on tapes was only one or two. In the dry season, a few samples of well-water and rain-water collected from the residential area were contaminated with helminth eggs, and all samples collected from ponds and ditches contained many eggs of various species similar to those collected in the rainy season. The present study clearly indicates that, in our study area, the villagers were subject to infection from soil-transmitted helminthes directly and indirectly through water.

The sub-chronic toxicity of an antimalaria combination between piperaquine phosphate (PQP) and dihydroartemisinin (DHA) at the doses of 64 and 100 mg of (PQP+DHA)/kg of body weight/day for 28 consecutive days in rabbits was investigated in this study. Results: rabbits acted and ate normally. At the doses of 64 mg of (PQP+DHA)/kg/day x 28 consecutive days, the body weights of rabbits increased statistical significantly at day N28 compared to days before using the combination (p<0.05). At the doses of (PQP+DHA) 100 mg/kg/day x 28 consecutive days, the weights of rabbits increased statistically at day 14 and 28. At dose of 64 mg PQP+DHA/kg/day x 28 day, biochemical indicators (SGOT, SGPT, creatinin, protein and bilirubin) and hematological indicators (erythrocytes, leukocytes, leukocyte formula and hemoglobin) did not change significantly (p>0.05) after 28 days. At dose of 100 mg PQP+DHA/kg/day x 28 days, biochemical indicators (SGOT, SGPT, creatinin, protein and bilirubin) and hematological indicators (hemoglobin, erythrocytes, leukocytes, neutrophils and lymphocytes) did not change significantly (p>0.05) after 28 days but protein and monocytes increased significantly (p<0.05) on day 28
Malaria ; Therapeutics ; Artemisinins

Background: In 2006, the project of global fund for malaria prevention in Vietnam provided a large number of rapid diagnostic test Paracheck F for Vietnam for the purpose of rapid malaria diagnose. However, there is no study on evaluation the effect of rapid diagnostic test compared with microscopy method. Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic yield and cost of paracheck F test and microscopy in malaria diagnosis and treatment. Subject and Method: The study was carried out in 6 communes belongs to Quang Tri and Quang Binh provinces from September to November - 2006. The study was divided into 3 phases. Phase 1: diagnoses and treatments are based on clinical symptoms, phase 2: diagnoses and treatments are based on the results of paracheck and phase 3: diagnoses and treatments are based on the results of microscopy. All phases, both the common patients and malarial patients and the amount of anti-malarial drugs were treated, the amount of money was spent on transport and days work off of malarial patients and their relatives were calculated. Result: The investigation data on expenditure of malaria patients showed that: the average direct cost of malaria patient in phase 1 is VND 116.100; phase 2: VND 119.400 and phase 3: VND 120.800 per 1 treatment course. There is no significant difference between direct costs in three phases (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The expense efficiency for finding out a case of malaria by paracheck and microscopy is equivalent and lower than the expense of diagnosis based on clinical symptoms.
Malaria diagnosis ; RDT Paracheck F ; microscopy

Evaluation of effectiveness of house spraying with Ale 10SC/m2 in malaria mosquitoe prevention by testing bioassay and etomological indicators as well as side effects in the community in implemented area from 11/2003-11/2004 at Quyet Chien commune, Tan Lac District, Hoa Binh province shows that using Ale 10SC spraying with 30mm/m2 with 6 months of residual on wooden and brick wall and the mosquitoe death rate is 51.3-52.6%. Ale 10SC spraying decreased the density of An.minimus domestically daytime and seeking blood. Ale 10SC spraying with 30mg/m2 in malaria transmitted mosquitoes does not have side effects on people using it directly and the community
Malaria ; Culicidae ; Pyrethrins

Background: Coordinating between soldiers and people bring significant results in protecting healthy for soldiers and people in malaria epidemic area.\r\n', u'Objectives: To evaluate epidemic supervision and propose solutions protecting healthy for soldiers and people in malaria epidemic area.\r\n', u'Subjects and methods: A retrospective cross sectional study was carried out on two provinces Binh Phuoc and Dak Lak\r\n', u'Results: there was 4 main disease types were fever, tuberculosis, diarrhea and malaria. Malaria at investigated times still accounted high rate comparing with general fever rate. Malaria risk contained in people living or working in forest and mountain field; free emigrants; armed forces and border guard. These subjects needed to improve regularly protection from malaria. Communication of health education is one of important method to prevent and control malaria.\r\n', u'Conclusion: It is necessary to implement strong methods (such as providing insecticide treated bed nets, indoor residual spray) to prevent and control malaria. \r\n', u'
Epidemic supervision ; healthy ; soldier ; malaria epidemic area.

Background: Paracheck F.test is rapid diagnostic test that use to determine presence of histidine rich protein 2-HPR-2, a component of Plasmodium falciparum in total blood. Paracheck F.test producted by India\r\n', u'Objective: To study the sensitivity, specificity and diagnosed conformity of Rapid Diagnosis Test (Paracheck F test) compared with microscopic method for detecting P.falciparum \r\n', u'Subject and method: The study was conducted in 5 communes of Quang Tri province and 1 commune of Quang Binh province from September to November in 2006. A total of 470 blood samples were collected and examined with 2 methods for detecting P falciparum (Microscopy and Rapid Diagnosis Test- Paracheck). \r\n', u'Results:Among these blood samples, there were 438 samples having complete conformity in both two methods. 29 samples were negative with microscopy but positive with Paracheck. 3 samples were positive with Paracheck but negative with microscopy.\r\n', u'Conclusion: the sensitivity and specificity of Paracheck is 99% and 82%, respectively. Both microscopic and Paracheck methods have a high conformity in detecting P falciparum with the Kappa index of 0.84. \r\n', u'
Sensitivity ; specificity ; diagnosed conformity ; Paracheck F test ; microscopy

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

Malaria situation in DakLak province in the first 5 months of 2003 has increased highly and unstable. High morbidity of malaria is concentrated in five districts of DakLak province: DakRlap, DakNong, DakSong, M’dRak and DakMil. These are far, newly established districts with very difficult conditions of transport, economy and numerous problems caused by the illegal migration of population. The most of local inhabitants of mainly districts are protected by insecticide such as house spraying or bednet impregnation with covering 80-90%. The vector control method now is practiced better but these activities mainly aimed at protecting the local inhabitant clusters or stably settled people while ignored the new settlers and people who frequently stay overnight in the swidden fields
Malaria ; Disease ; Solutions

The sub-chronic toxicity of piperaquine phosphate was assessed in rabbits. Piperaquine phosphate (PQP), at the doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg of body weight per day for 28 consecutive days, was administered orally. The influences of PQP on rabbits' laboratory indices were observed during the PQP administration and after the treatment. Rabbits treated with PQP by oral administration were found to have normal action dinning. At the dose of 50mg/kg per day for 28 consecutive days, the body weights of rabbits was increased significantly during study period (p<0.05), but was not changed significantly at the dose of 100 mg/kg per dayx 28 days. PQP, at the dose of 50 mg/kg per day for 28 consecutive days, did not change significantly biochemical indices (SGOT,SGPT, bilirubin and protein) and some hematological indices (leukocytes, leukocyte formula and hemoglobin), but significantly increased erythrocytes and creatinine on days 14 and 28. At the treated dose 100mg/kg per dayx28days, biochemical indices (SGOT, protein) and some hematological indices (erythrocytes, leukocytes and leukocyte formula) did not change significantly during study period, but creatinine, bilirubin and SGPT were significantly changed
Animal Experimentation ; Rabbits

The study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of bed-net impregnation with Ale l0SC at a dose 25mg a.i/m2 based on bioassays, entomological indices and to evaluate side effects and the influence of washing of bed-nets in terms of insecticide residual effects. The trials were conducted from November 2003 to November 2004 in Quyet Chien commune, Hoa Binh province's Tan Lac district. Polyester bed-nets impregnated with Ale l0SC at dose of 25mg ai/m2 were found to have 6-month residual effects and to remain effective in malaria vector control after one wash (60 days after treatment). Ale l0SC bed-net impregnation were found to reduce the density of day time indoor resting and human biting anopheline mosquitoes. There are unsignficant side effects among spraymen, dippers and villagers in the treatment areas caused by bed-net impregnation at dose of 25mg ai/m2 were observed.
Malaria ; Pyrethrins