Burden of disease and economic impact of human Streptococcus suis infection in Viet Nam

BackgroundStreptococcus suis is a zoonotic disease mainly affecting men of working age and can result in death or long-term sequelae, including severe hearing loss and vestibular dysfunction. We aimed to quantify the burden of disease and economic impact of this infection in Viet Nam.MethodsThe annual disease incidence for the period 2011–2014 was estimated based on surveillance data using a multiple imputation approach. We calculated disease burden in disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) and economic costs using an incidence-based approach from a patient’s perspective and including direct and indirect impacts of S. suis infection and its long-term sequelae.ResultsThe estimated annual incidence rate was 0.318, 0.324, 0.255 and 0.249 cases per 100 000 population in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively. The corresponding DALYs lost were 1832, 1866, 1467 and 1437. The mean direct cost per episode was US$1635 (95$370 000–500 000 and the indirect cost was US$2.27–2.88 million in this time period.ConclusionThis study showed a large disease burden and high economic impact of S. suis infection and provides important data for disease monitoring and control.</p

Measuring serum beta2-microglobulin to predict long-term mortality in hemodialysis patients using low-flux dialyzer reuse

Nguyen Huu Dung,1 Nguyen Trung Kien,2 Nguyen Thi Thu Hai,1 Phan The Cuong,1 Nguyen Thi Thu Huong,3 Dao Bui Quy Quyen,4 Nguyen Minh Tuan,4 Do Manh Ha,2 Truong Quy Kien,2 Nguyen Thi Thuy Dung,2 Pham Quoc Toan,2 Hoang Trung Vinh,2 Tomoko Usui,5 Le Viet Thang21Bach Mai Hospital, Ha Noi, Vietnam; 2Military Hospital 103, Ha Noi, Vietnam; 3Ha Noi Kidney Hospital, Ha Noi, Vietnam; 4Cho Ray Hospital, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam; 5University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, JapanPurpose: Beta2-microglobulin (&beta;2-M) is recognized as a surrogate marker relating to the mechanisms of dialysis-associated amyloidosis. Few studies have evaluated the association of serum &beta;2-M with clinical outcome in hemodialysis patients using high-flux type. However, study on patients using low-flux dialyzer reuse has not been done yet.Patients and methods: Using serum &beta;2-M level on predicting long-term mortality of hemodialysis patients was examined in 326 prevalent hemodialysis patients (45.59&plusmn;14.46 years, hemodialysis duration of 47.5 (26&ndash;79) months, 186 males and 140 females). The patients were divided into 3 groups with equal number of patients, according to their serum &beta;2-M levels: group A (n=109, serum &beta;2-M concentration &le;55.7 mg/L), group B (n=109, serum &beta;2-M level from 55.8 mg/L to 75.4 mg/L) and group C (n=108, serum &beta;2-M concentration &gt;75.4 mg/L).Results: During the follow-up period of 5 years, there were 75 all-cause deaths (23.0%). Kaplan&ndash;Meier analysis revealed that all-cause mortality in the higher &beta;2-M group was significantly higher compared to that in the lower &beta;2-M groups (p&lt;0.001). Serum &beta;2-M level was a significant predictor for all-cause mortality (AUC =0.898; p&lt;0.001; Cut-off value: 74.9 mg/L, Se=93.3%, Sp=92.9%).Conclusion: Serum &beta;2-M levels were a significant predictor of long-term mortality in hemodialysis patients, who use only low-flux dialyzers and reuse 6 times.Keywords: Beta2-microglobulin, mortality, hemodialysi

Plans for nationwide serosurveillance network in Vietnam

In recent years, serosurveillance has gained momentum as a way of determining disease transmission and immunity in populations, particularly with respect to vaccine-preventable diseases. At the end of 2017, the Oxford University Clinical Research Unit and the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology held a meeting in Vietnam with national policy makers, researchers, and international experts to discuss current seroepidemiologic projects in Vietnam and future needs and plans for nationwide serosurveillance. This report summarizes the meeting and the plans that were discussed to set up nationwide serosurveillance in Vietnam