Background: Healthcare-associated bloodstream infections (HABSIs) are major cause of morbidity and mortality in intensive care units (ICUs), particularly in low - and middle-income countries (LMICs). However, ICU-level surveillance data describing the epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance pattern of bloodstream infections in Vietnam remain limited. Methods: We conducted a restrospective descriptive study using routine infection prevention and control (IPC) surveillance data from an adult ICU at a tertiary infection diseases hospital in Hanoi, Vietnam. All laboratory-confirmed HABSI episodes recorded between October 2023 and December 2025 were included. Cases were identified using standardized national IPC surveillance definitions aligned with CDC/NHSN principles. Demographic characteristics, exposure to invasive devices, microbiological profiles and antimicrobial resistance patterns were analyzed. Results: A total of 134 HABSI episodes were identified. Male patients accounted for 73.9% (99/134) of cases. Most infections occurred among critically ill ICU patients with prolonged ICU stays and exposure to invasive devices. Central venous catheters were present in the majority of HABSI episodes 84.3% (113/134), suggesting a high level of exposure to intravascular devices. Gram-negative organisms predominated (82 episodes) with Acinetobacter baumannii was the most frequently identified pathogen (20.9%), followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (15.7%) being the most frequently isolated pathogens. A high proportion of isolates demonstrated multidrug resistance, with 67.1% (55/82) of gram -negative isolates exhibiting carbapenem resistance, predominantly a mong A.baumanii and K.pneumoniae . In addition, fungal bloodstream infections due to Candida species accounted for 30 episodes (22.4%). Conclusion: HABSI in this adult ICU were associated with frequent central venous catheter use and a high burden of antimicrobial resistance, particularly carbapenem-resistant gram-negative bacteria dominated by Acinetobacter baumanii. The substantial proportion of candidemia further highlights the complexity of bloodstream infections in critically ill patients. These findings underscore the importance of strengthening facility-based IPC surveillance, optimizing central line care practices, and integrating stewardship interventions in high-risk ICU settings in Vietnam.

Spatial analysis and disease mapping have the potential to enhance understanding of tuberculosis (TB) dynamics, whose spatial dynamics may be complicated by the mix of short and long-range transmission and long latency periods. TB notifications in Nam Dinh Province for individuals aged 15 and older from 2013 to 2022 were analyzed with a variety of spatio-temporal methods. The study commenced with an analysis of spatial autocorrelation to identify clustering patterns, followed by the evaluation of several candidate Bayesian spatio-temporal models. These models varied from simple assessments of spatial heterogeneity to more complex configurations incorporating covariates and interactions. The findings highlighted a peak in the TB notification rate in 2017, with 98 cases per 100,000 population, followed by a sharp decline in 2021. Significant spatial autocorrelation at the commune level was detected over most of the 10-year period. The Bayesian model that best balanced goodness-of-fit and complexity indicated that TB trends were associated with poverty: each percentage point increase in the proportion of poor households was associated with a 1.3% increase in TB notifications, emphasizing a significant socioeconomic factor in TB transmission dynamics. The integration of local socioeconomic data with spatio-temporal analysis could further enhance our understanding of TB epidemiology.

Adopting a healthy dietary pattern may be an initial step in combating inflammation-related chronic diseases; however, a comprehensive synthesis evaluating current evidence is lacking. This umbrella review aimed to summarise the current evidence on the effects of dietary patterns on circulating C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in adults. We conducted an exhaustive search of the Pubmed, Scopus and Epistemonikos databases, spanning from their inception to November 2023, to identify systematic reviews and meta-analyses across all study designs. Subsequently, we employed a random-effects model to recompute the pooled mean difference. Methodological quality was assessed using the A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews 2 (AMSTAR 2) checklist, and evidence certainty was categorised as non-significant, weak, suggestive, highly suggestive or convincing (PROSPERO: CRD42023484917). We included twenty-seven articles with thirty meta-analyses of seven dietary patterns, fifteen of which (50 %) exhibited high methodological quality. The summary effects of randomised controlled trials (RCT) found that the Mediterranean diet was the most effective in reducing circulating CRP levels, followed by Vegetarian/Vegan and Energy-restricted diets, though the evidence was of weak quality. In contrast, Intermittent Fasting, Ketogenic, Nordic and Paleolithic diets did not show an inverse correlation with circulating CRP levels. Some results from combined interventional and observational studies, as well as solely observational studies, also agreed with these findings. These dietary patterns show the potential in reducing CRP levels in adults, yet the lack of high-quality evidence suggests future studies may alter the summary estimates. Therefore, further well-conducted studies are warranted.

This position paper by the international IMMERSE consortium reviews the evidence of a digital mental health solution based on Experience Sampling Methodology (ESM) for advancing person-centered mental health care and outlines a research agenda for implementing innovative digital mental health tools into routine clinical practice. ESM is a structured diary technique recording real-time self-report data about the current mental state using a mobile application. We will review how ESM may contribute to (1) service user engagement and empowerment, (2) self-management and recovery, (3) goal direction in clinical assessment and management of care, and (4) shared decision-making. However, despite the evidence demonstrating the value of ESM-based approaches in enhancing person-centered mental health care, it is hardly integrated into clinical practice. Therefore, we propose a global research agenda for implementing ESM in routine mental health care addressing six key challenges: (1) the motivation and ability of service users to adhere to the ESM monitoring, reporting and feedback, (2) the motivation and competence of clinicians in routine healthcare delivery settings to integrate ESM in the workflow, (3) the technical requirements and (4) governance requirements for integrating these data in the clinical workflow, (5) the financial and competence related resources related to IT-infrastructure and clinician time, and (6) implementation studies that build the evidence-base. While focused on ESM, the research agenda holds broader implications for implementing digital innovations in mental health. This paper calls for a shift in focus from developing new digital interventions to overcoming implementation barriers, essential for achieving a true transformation toward person-centered care in mental health.

The aim of this study is to analyse the changing patterns in the transmission of COVID-19 in relation to changes in Vietnamese governmental policies, based on epidemiological data and policy actions in a large Vietnamese province, Bac Ninh, in 2021. Data on confirmed cases from January to December 2021 were collected, together with policy documents. There were three distinct periods of the COVID-19 pandemic in Bac Ninh province during 2021. During the first period, referred to as the ‘Zero-COVID’ period (01/04–07/04/2021), there was a low population vaccination rate, with less than 25% of the population receiving its first vaccine dose. Measures implemented during this period focused on domestic movement restrictions, mask mandates, and screening efforts to control the spread of the virus. The subsequent period, referred to as the ‘Transition’ period (07/05–10/22/2021), witnessed a significant increase in population vaccination coverage, with 80% of the population receiving their first vaccine dose. During this period, several days passed without any reported COVID-19 cases in the community. The local government implemented measures to manage domestic actions and reduce the time spent in quarantine, and encouraged home quarantining for the close contacts of cases with COVID-19. Finally, the ‘New-normal’ stage (10/23–12/31/2021), during which the population vaccination coverage with a second vaccine dose increased to 70%, and most of the mandates for the prevention and control of COVID-19 were reduced. In conclusion, this study highlights the importance of governmental policies in managing and controlling the transmission of COVID-19 and provides insights for developing realistic and context-specific strategies in similar settings.

Objectives: In early 2021, when the COVID-19 vaccine was scarce in Vietnam, healthcare workers (HCWs) were prioritized for vaccination due to high risk of occupational exposure. However, there is some COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy within HCW communities. Assessing COVID-19 severity among vaccinated and nonvaccinated HCWs would contribute essential information to assure people of vaccine effectiveness and reduce vaccine hesitancy. Methods: We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study at the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases in Hanoi, Vietnam, from May to June 2021. Clinical and epidemiological data from HCWs with positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) results were collected. The severity of symptoms were classified according to Vietnam Ministry of Health guideline (Decision no. 3416 issued  July 14, 2021) into 5 categories: asymptomatic, mild, moderate, severe, and critical conditions Results: Overall, 25 HCWs qualified for this study (14 women and 11 men), with a median age of 31 years. Among them, 3 HCWs were infected due to community exposure, and the rest were infected due to occupational exposure. Also, 3 HCWs received the Astra Zeneca vaccine before being infected with SARS-CoV-2 (one fully vaccinated with 2 doses and the other 2 had had the first dose). Categorized by the severity of infection, 28% were asymptomatic, 44% had mild symptoms, 20% had moderate symptoms, and 8% experienced severe symptoms. All 3 vaccinated HCWs showed only mild symptoms. Cough and sore throat were the main symptoms recorded (60%), followed by fever (56%). Blood test results did not show significant differences between the severe and mild COVID-19 groups. Conclusions: COVID-19 vaccination reduced the severity of COVID-19 in this small sample of HCWs. Full COVID-19 vaccination is strongly recommended for HCWs to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and to limit the number of cases with severe disease.

The complete circular mitogenome of Paragonimus skrjabini miyazakii (Platyhelminthes: Paragonimidae) from Japan, obtained by PacBio long-read sequencing, was 17 591 bp and contained 12 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 2 mitoribosomal RNA and 22 transfer RNA genes. The atp8 gene was absent, and there was a 40 bp overlap between nad4L and nad4. The long non-coding region (4.3 kb) included distinct types of long and short repeat units. The pattern of base usage for PCGs and the mtDNA coding region overall in Asian and American Paragonimus species (P. s. miyazakii, P. heterotremus, P. ohirai and P. kellicotti) and the Indian form of P. westermani was T > G > A > C. On the other hand, East-Asian P. westermani used T > G > C > A. Five Asian and American Paragonimus species and P. westermani had TTT/Phe, TTG/Leu and GTT/Val as the most frequently used codons, whereas the least-used codons were different in each species and between regional forms of P. westermani. The phylogenetic tree reconstructed from a concatenated alignment of amino acids of 12 PCGs from 36 strains/26 species/5 families of trematodes confirmed that the Paragonimidae is monophyletic, with 100% nodal support. Paragonimus skrjabini miyazakii was resolved as a sister to P. heterotremus. The P. westermani clade was clearly separate from remaining congeners. The latter clade was comprised of 2 subclades, one of the East-Asian and the other of the Indian Type 1 samples. Additional mitogenomes in the Paragonimidae are needed for genomic characterization and are useful for diagnostics, identification and genetic/ phylogenetic/ epidemiological/ evolutionary studies of the Paragonimidae.