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Abstract Few studies have been conducted on group B Streptococcus (GBS) in Vietnam. We determined the GBS colonization and antimicrobial resistance vaginal-rectal profile of 3863 Vietnamese pregnant women over 5 years. Maternal GBS colonization was characterized by antibiotic susceptibility. Overall, the GBS colonization rate was 8.02% (95% CI: 7.20–8.94%). Compared to sampling ≥ 35 weeks of gestation, the GBS colonization rate was statistically higher (p = 0.004) with sampling

Quantification of plasma cell-free Epstein Barr virus DNA (cf EBV DNA) has been suggested as a promising liquid biopsy assay for screening and early detection of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). However, the diagnostic value of this assay is currently not known in the population of Vietnam, one of the countries which contributed the most to the NPC cases. Herein, we have reported a highly sensitive quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR)-based assay targeting cf EBV DNA for the detection of NPC. A standard curve with linear regression, R 2 = 0.9961 (range: 25-150 000 copies/mL) and a detection limit of 25 copies/mL were obtained using an EBV standard panel provided by the Chinese University of Hong Kong. The clinical performance of this assay was assessed using plasma samples obtained from 261 Vietnamese individuals. The optimized qPCR assay detected cf EBV DNA in plasma with a sensitivity of 97.4% and a specificity of 98.2%. The absolute quantitative results of pretreatment cf EBV DNA and patient overall clinical stages were statistically correlated ( P < .05). In summary, the remarkably high sensitivity and specificity of our optimized qPCR assay strongly supports the wide use of cf EBV DNA quantification as a routine noninvasive method in early diagnosis and management of patients with NPC.

Extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacterales (ESBL-E) resistance to commonly prescribed drugs is increasing in Vietnam. During pregnancy, ESBL-E may predispose women to reproductive tract infections and increases the risk for neonatal morbidity. Vaginal colonization and infections by Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae are seldom studied in Vietnam. In this study, we investigated ESBL-producing Enterobacterales in the birth canal of pregnant women. Between 2016 and 2020, vaginal swabs were collected from 3104 pregnant women (mean gestational age of 31 weeks) and inoculated onto MacConkey agar plates. Colonies were subjected to direct identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing using the VITEK®-2 automated compact system and disk diffusion. ESBL production was determined phenotypically. E. coli, Klebsiella species were identified in 30% (918/3104) of the vaginal swabs, with E. coli being the most common (73%; 667/918). ESBL-production was detected in 47% (432/918) of Enterobacterales, with frequent multidrug-resistant phenotype. The overall prevalence of carbapenem resistance was low (8%). Over 20% of Klebsiella spp. were carbapenem-resistant. Pregnant women had a high prevalence of colonization and may transmit ESBL-E to neonates at birth, an important risk factor to be considered. The high rate of ESBL-producers and carbapenem resistance in Enterobacterales in Vietnam emphasizes the need for consequent surveillance and access to molecular typing.

Background: The B-type rafkinase (BRAF) V600E gene mutation plays an important role in the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and prognosis of thyroid carcinoma. This study was conducted to investigate the rate of the BRAF V600E mutation, the relationships between the BRAF V600E gene mutation and some immunohistochemical markers, and recurrence rate in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer. Method: The study was conducted by a descriptive and longitudinal follow-up method on 102 thyroid carcinoma patients at 103 Military Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam. All patients were identified with the BRAF V600E gene mutation by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: The rate of BRAF V600E gene mutation in patients with thyroid cancer was 60.8%. Patients with BRAF V600E gene mutation had a significantly higher rate of positive cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) and Ki67 markers than those without the mutation (COX-2: odds ratio [OR] = 2.93; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.27-6.74, P =.011; Ki67: OR = 3.41; 95% CI = 1.31-8.88, P =.01). A statistically significant relationship was identified between the rate of BRAF V600E mutation and the rate of positive Hector Battifora mesothelial 1 (HBME-1) (B = −1.040; P =.037) and COX-2 (B = −1.123; P =.023) markers. The recurrence rate in patients with BRAF V600E gene mutation was significantly higher than that in those without the mutation (P =.007). The mean of the recurrence time of patients with BRAF V600E mutation was significantly lower than that in those without the mutation (P =.011). Conclusions: A high prevalence of BRAF V600E gene mutation was found in thyroid carcinoma patients. The rates of positive HBME-1, COX-2, and Ki67 markers were significantly correlated to BRAF V600E gene mutation. Patients with BRAF V600E gene mutation showed a significantly higher relapse rate and earlier relapse time than those without the mutation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the effects of direct and indirect dispersion methods for lovastatin solid dispersion (LSD) in alginate (AG)/chitosan (CS) composites on the characteristics and properties of the AG/CS/LSD composites. The preparation method significantly influences the structure, morphology, and LSD size distribution of the composites as well as the drug release of LSD from the samples. The differences in dispersion methods for LSD lead to differences in the interaction between the components, the structure, and the control drug release of LSD. Lovastatin was released from the samples containing LSD in two stages (a fast release stage and a slow release stage), and the drug release content prepared using the indirect method is lower than that prepared using the direct method in the same buffer solution. After 32 h of testing, the released LSD content from the indirect and direct LSD dispersion methods in pH 2 and pH 7.4 buffer solutions was 87–94% and 41–61%, respectively. Drug release kinetics from the above samples in solutions with different pH values was also set up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]