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.

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: The Covid-19 pandemic that occurred at the end of 2019, especially the fourth wave in Vietnam, has affected the world not only in terms of economy, society, and physical health but also affected the mental health of population in general and of medical students in particular. The use of different coping methods may be protective or risk factors for mental health problems. Objectives: 1. To investigate the prevalence of anxiety, stress, and depression among medical students during the Covid -19 pandemic 2. To describe several coping behavior among medical students during the pandemic. Subjects and methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study conducted on 2350 students of medicine programme range from the first year to the sixth year in the school year 2021 - 2022 at Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy. Using the DASS-21 scale to survey anxiety, depression and stress in research subjects and a self-designed questionnaire to describe the coping methods of medical students. Results: out of 2350 sample, the prevelance of depression, anxiety, and stress was 38%, 33.2%, and 17% respectively. 13.8% had both anxiety and stress, 15.4% had both stress and depression, and 12.8% had a combination of anxiety, depression and stress. Coping behavior was commonly selected including: eating and sleeping regularly as usual (68.1%); doing exercise at home at least 5 days/week and 30 minutes/day (23.9%); 36.5% of students performed their favorite activities under appropriate conditions most of the time or often. In addition, 59.7% of students had learn new things on the internet, 4.5% of students had practiced meditation and relaxation, 2.9% of students had chosen to write a diary and things they were grateful for; 32% had still maintain contacted with friends via video calls, text messages and 34.4% had chosen to participate in volunteer activities. Conclusion: This study highlights a high rate of anxiety, stress and depression among medical students during the fouthth wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. Personal lifestyle changes and social activities were amongst the most comon coping behavior reported.

Introduction: Hepatitis C is a dangerous disease and if left untreated can have serious consequences to the patients. While hepatitis C is difficult to treat, its vaccine is still unavailable. Previous studies have showed that there is a low rate of drug users having HCV tests. This means HCV infections does not have any great importance attached to it amongst the drug user group.\r\n', u'Objectives: To discover the status of HCV infection among drug users in Hanoi and to analyse the associated factors. \r\n', u'Subjects and methods: This crossover descriptive study was conducted in Hanoi. Research objects consisted of only men within the 16 - 25 years old age group, who used heroin from 09/2005 to 12/2006. These participants were interviewed and tested for HIV, HCV and HBV.\r\n', u'Results: HCV prevalence is 35.1 %. Especially, the research has indicated that 100% of HIV infected cases have also contracted HCV. This co - infectious status can be a challenge to subjects when they experience ARV treatment. The mean age of surveyed participants is 19. 83.6% of them have attended secondary school. 30.1 % have taken part in illegal earning activities. \r\n', u'Conclusion: HCV infection was discovered in the early drug injection stage. The proportion of HIV infection among injecting drug users is 28.24 times compared to the smoking drug users.\r\n', u'
HeV ; HIV ; Injecting drug user

Background: In Vietnam, the HIV/AIDS pandemic is quickly spreading, almost totally in young people and among injecting drug users.The transition phase from smoking to injecting is very important for the life of injecting drug users because it is a risk factor of disease transmission. Objectives: (1) To analyze the transition phase from smoking/sniffing to injecting of the young male heroin users in Ha Noi. (2) To describe some factors related to the transition phase in these people. Subjects and method: A cross-sectional study carried out from September 2004 to September 2005 at 9 districts in Ha Noi city. The subjects were 1115 young men aged 16 to 29 years, who has been living in Ha Noi for over 6 months and smoked/sniffed heroin within the last 30 days. Results and conclusions: The average time of drug user in the 1115 subjects was 4.7 years. The majority started using drug at the age of 18.4 +/- 3.1 years. In which, 71 % consume the drugs by injection. The average time from smoking to injecting is 2.49 +/- 2.2 years. The main reasons for injecting drugs were for being faster \u2018on the height\u2019 (42%) and cheaper (40%). Some factors related to the transition phase included: age of the first heroin use, year of the first heroin use, situation for migrating into Ha Noi, knowledge level, the kind of drug used for the first time. Young people began using heroin in the year 2000 had a quicker transition phase than those using heroin before 1997 (p< 0.01).
injecting drug user ; drug user ; heroin

Introduction: Diarrheagenic Escherichia Coli (DEC) is getting more and more important as a cause of diarrhea in children under 5 years of age. Detection of DEC prevalence and distribution of their virulent genes plays an important role in prevention and treatment for E.coli-related diseases and vaccine development. Objectives: This study was conducted with the aim to detect DEC prevalence and the distribution of virulent genes of DEC isolated from healthy children under 5 who were living in the community. Subjects and method: 826 children under-5 living in Ba Vi District, Ha Tay Province were selected. Polymerase chain reactions using specific primers to virulent genes of DEC were used. Results. The study found that the prevalence of DEC was 9.8%, among this EAEC accounted for 3.1%, EHEC 1.8%, EIEC 0.1%, EPEC 1.1%, ETEC 0.1% and two DECs 3.5%. Combinations of virulent genes of EHEC and EHEC+ETEC accounted for 50% of total virulent genes. Conclusion: Five types of DEC were isolated from subjects with the prevalence of 9.8%. The most common virulent genes were combinations of EHEC and ETEC. Further studies are needed to investigate the transmission pathway of DEC in children living in the community.
Escherichia coli ; Virulent gene

Background: In Vietnam, there are a number of studies on the application of ATRA in treating acute promyelocytic leukemia (AML \u2013 M3) but they have still faced with certain difficulties. Objectives: (1). Study PML/RAR alpha fusion gene on the patients diagnosed with AML \u2013 M3. (2). Study the index of hematology of the PML/RAR alpha positive group. Subject and Method: 21 patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (M3) were studied. All patients were examined with morphology, coagulation and cytogenetic tests and RNA were extracted from leukemic cells and PCR for PML/RAR alpha fusion transcript. Result and conclusion: PML/RAR alpha positive in 67% including 4 patients which were not discovered t(15; 17) by cytogenetic technique. Rates of three subtype (bcr1, bcr2 and bcr3) of PML/RAR alpha were 7 patients (50%), 3 patients (21,5%) and 4 patients (28,5%), respectively. WBC and bone marrow cells of PML/RAR alpha positive group were 5.08+/-3.87 and 155.82+/-106.21. D \u2013 Dimer level was 1954.89+/-1575.28; 93% of patients in the PML/RAR alpha positive group had DIC.
Acute promyelocytic leukemia ; M3 ; PML/RAR alpha

Background: Chromosome mutation type t(8;21) has quite a high frequency in acute myelogenous leukemia, which accounted for about 15% among adult patients. From 2001, the WHO has a new classification for acute myelogenous leukemia based on genetic mutations. Form had AML1/ETO were arranged into genetic mutation group with better prognosis and ability to fully recover after chemotherapy with a high dose of cytarabin. Objective: Study AML1/ETO fusion gene on the patients diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML), as well as the clinical features and some haematologic parameters of the AML1/ETO positive group. Subject and methods: 76 patients with AML were treating in the National Institute of Hematology & Blood Transfusion and the Department of Hematology & Blood Transfusion of Bach Mai Hospital from April 2007 to July 2008. These patients were studied for clinical examination, morphology and RNA were extracted from leukemic cells and PCR for AML1/ETO fusion transcript was performed. Results and conclusions: The incidence of AML1/ETO positive in the AML patients was 24%. The incidence of AML1/ETO positive in AML-M2 was 28%. In the AML1/ETO positive group: median age was 26.94+/-9.22; rate of severe anemia, hemorrhage, fever, infection, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, lymphadenopathy and gum hypertrophy was 44%, 33%, 28%, 11%, 44%, 28%, 17% and 6%, respectively. Median hemoglobin, WBC, platelet, bone marrow cell count, % blast in peripheral blood and in bone marrow was 84.41+/-28.97 g/l, 29.42+/-31.36 g/l, 42.12+/-33.83 g/l, 215.93+/-134.42 g/l, 56.21+/-26.58% and 65.14+/-16.12%, respectively.
acute myelogenous leukemia ; AML1/ETO fusion gene

Background: With the development of HIV/AIDS pandemic in community, amount of HIV/AIDS people more and more increase in prison. Objectives: Determine the rate of HIV/AIDS infection of prisoners at Binh Dien prison. Learning about related elements to HIV/AIDS infection. Subjects and method: Prisoners at Binh Dien prison. Method: 492 prisoners were chosen, interviewed directly and taken blood samples to HIV test. Using cross-sectional study on accidental samples. Techniques were used in this study: SERODIA-HIV and ELISA technique. Results: The rate of current HIV/AIDS infections was 21,74%, some HIV/AIDS related factors in the prison included sex, religion, income source, marrital status, common knowledge of HIV/AIDS, drug addiction history, needle sharing, sexually transmitted disease history, body tatoos and forskin inserted with metal balls, alcohol and beer drinking history, some factors such as: age and educational level were not associated with HIV/AIDS infection in prison. Conclusion: Strengthen interventional activities in prison to prevent HIV/AIDS spread between prisoners. To prisoners who were not infected HIV/AIDS: strengthen educational communication to they may prevent themselves from HIV/AIDS infection behaviors. To HIV/AIDS prisoners: Need to educate and consult especially to they have right behaviors, prevent HIV/AIDS spread for the others while they were in prison as well as they return to society.
HIV Infections/ blood ; complications ; epidemiology ;