Background: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) remains a major cause of gastroduodenal diseases. We aimed to evaluate the burden of this infection, particularly peptic ulcer disease in Vietnamese children. Methods: We enrolled consecutive children referred for esophagogastroduodenoscopy at two tertiary children’s hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City, from October 2019 to May 2021. Children treated with proton pump inhibitors during the last two weeks or antibiotics for four weeks, and those having a previous or interventional endoscopy were excluded. H. pylori infection was diagnosed with either a positive culture or positive histopathology combined with a rapid urease test, or with a polymerase chain reaction of the urease gene. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee and written informed consent/assent was obtained. Results: Among 336 enrolled children aged 4–16 (mean: 9.1 ± 2.4 years; 55.4% girls), H. pylori infection was positive in 80%. Peptic ulcers were detected in 65 (19%), increasing with age, and 25% with anemia. cagA+ strains were detected at a higher rate in children with ulcers. Conclusions: Prevalence of H. pylori and peptic ulcers is high among symptomatic Vietnamese children. It is crucial to have a program for early detection of H. pylori to reduce ulcer risk and gastric cancer later.

Interventions to improve neonatal resuscitation are considered a priority for reducing neonatal mortality. In addition to training programs for health caregivers, the availability of adequate equipment in all delivery settings is crucial. In this study, we assessed the availability of equipment for neonatal resuscitation in a large sample of delivery rooms in Vietnam, exploring regional differences. In 2012, a structured questionnaire on 2011 neonatal resuscitation practice was sent to the heads of 187 health facilities, representing the three levels of hospital-based maternity services in eight administrative regions in Vietnam, allowing national and regional estimates to be calculated. Overall the response rate was an 85.7 % (160/187 hospitals). There was a limited availability of equipment considered as “essential” in the surveyed centres: stethoscopes (68.0 %; 95 % CI: 60.3–75.7), clock (50.3 %; 42.0–58.7), clothes (29.5 %; (22.0–36.9), head covering (12.3 %; 7.2–17.4). The percentage of centres equipped with polyethylene bags (2.2 %; 0.0–4.6), pulse oximeter (9.4 %; 5.2–13.6) and room air source (1.9 %; 0.1–3.6) was very low. Adequate equipment for neonatal resuscitation was not available in a considerable proportion of hospitals in Vietnam. This problem was more relevant in some regions. The assessment strategy used in this study could be useful for organizing the procurement and distribution of supplies and equipment in other low and/or middle resource settings.

Introduction The clinical syndrome of neonatal sepsis, comprising signs of infection, septic shock and organ dysfunction in infants ≤4 weeks of age, is a frequent sequel to bloodstream infection and mandates urgent antimicrobial therapy. Bacterial characterisation and antimicrobial susceptibility testing is vital for ensuring appropriate therapy, as high rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), especially in low-income and middle-income countries, may adversely affect outcome. Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) in Vietnam is a rapidly expanding city in Southeast Asia with a current population of almost 8 million. There are limited contemporary data on the causes of neonatal sepsis in Vietnam, and we hypothesise that the emergence of multidrug resistant bacteria is an increasing problem for the appropriate management of sepsis cases. In this study, we aim to investigate the major causes of neonatal sepsis and assess disease outcomes by clinical features, antimicrobial susceptibility profiles and genome composition. Method and analysis We will conduct a prospective observational study to characterise the clinical and microbiological features of neonatal sepsis in a major children’s hospital in HCMC. All bacteria isolated from blood subjected to whole genome sequencing. We will compare clinical variables and outcomes between different bacterial species, genome composition and AMR gene content. AMR gene content will be assessed and stratified by species, years and contributing hospital departments. Genome sequences will be analysed to investigate phylogenetic relationships. Ethics and dissemination The study will be conducted in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki and the International Council on Harmonization Guidelines for Good Clinical Practice. Ethics approval has been provided by the Oxford Tropical Research Ethics Committee 35-16 and Vietnam Children’s Hospital 1 Ethics Committee 73/GCN/BVND1. The findings will be disseminated at international conferences and peer-reviewed journals. Trial registration number ISRCTN69124914; Pre-results.

Background: Medical face masks are integral personal protective equipment against infectious airborne disease and become scarce during epidemic outbreaks such as COVID-19. A novel, sustainably manufactured face mask with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties from oil of Folium Plectranthii amboinicii can be an effective alternative to internationally sold masks. Methods: This prospective, randomized study assigned subjects (n=67) to either conventional surgical face mask or Lamdong Medical College (LMC) face mask for three hours. Fractional concentration of nitric oxide in exhaled breath (FENO) and peak expiratory flow (PEF) was measured before and after mask use. Subjective reporting on respiratory symptoms was also analyzed. Masks were then incubated and analyzed for microorganism growth. Results: Subjects assigned the LMC mask had a lowered FENO (p<0.05) compared to conventional face masks after mask wearing. Subjects with LMC mask use reported higher comfortability (p<0.05), breathability (p<0.05), and lower allergy symptoms (p<0.05). The LMC mask has visually less microorganism growth in the cultured medium, measured by sterile ring radius. Conclusions: The LMC face mask is a renewably manufactured personal protective tool with antibacterial capacity that can serve as an effective alternative to internationally sold surgical face mask during shortage of mask due to COVID-19.