Purpose Studies on the epidemiology of bloodstream infection (BSI) and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are limited in Vietnam. Thus, the present study aimed to elucidate the epidemiology of BSI and AMR of BSI-causing bacteria in Vietnam. Methods Data regarding blood cultures from 2014 to 2021 were collected and analyzed using the chi-square test, Cochran–Armitage test, and binomial logistic regression model. Results Overall, 2405 (14.15%) blood cultures were positive during the study period. In total, 55.76% of BSIs occurred in patients aged ≥60 years. The male-to-female ratio of patients with BSI was 1.87:1. Escherichia coli (26.11%), Staphylococcus aureus (15.79%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (10.44%), Acinetobacter baumannii (4.70%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (3.45%) were the leading bacterial species causing BSI. The AMR rate of these bacteria isolated in the intensive care unit (ICU) was significantly higher compared with that of those in other wards. E. coli was the least resistant to carbapenems (2.39%–4.14%), amikacin (3.85%), and colistin (11.54%) and most resistant to penicillins (>80.0%). S. aureus was the least resistant to glycopeptides (0%–3.38%), quinupristin-dalfopristin (0.59%), and linezolid (1.02%) and most resistant to clindamycin (71.57%). K. pneumoniae was the least resistant to ertapenem (8.86%), amikacin (9.39%), and colistin (15.38%) and most resistant to aztreonam (83.33%). A. baumannii was the least resistant to amikacin (16.67%) and colistin (16.67%) and highly resistant to other antibiotics (≥50.0%). P. aeruginosa was the least resistant to colistin (16.33%) and piperacillin (28.17%) and highly resistant to other antibiotics (≥50.0%). Notably, the multidrug resistance rate of E. coli (76.41%) was the highest among common pathogens, followed by A. baumannii (71.57%), P. aeruginosa (64.56%), S. aureus (56.99%), and K. pneumoniae (43.72%). Conclusion The AMR rate of BSI-causing bacteria, particularly strains isolated from ICU, was alarmingly high. There is a need for new antibiotics, therapeutic strategies, as well as prevention and control to combat BSI and AMR.

Introduction Cortisol is proven to play a crucial role in hyperglycemia and fetal development in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). This research aims to investigate the relationship between maternal serum cortisol and insulin resistance indices and fetal ultrasound characteristics in women with GDM. Methods A cross-sectional and descriptive study on 144 GDM in Vietnam from January 2015 to December 2020. Serum cortisol was measured using electrochemiluminescence immunoassay at 8 a.m. on the examination day in the vicinity of the 24th gestational week. Fetal ultrasound was performed by an experienced person who was blind to the study. Results The mean cortisol level in the GDM group was 627.04 nmol/L. Serum cortisol levels positively correlated with abdominal circumference (AC), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), insulin, triglycerides, HOMA2-IR, and Mathew indices (with r of 0.18, 0.22, 0.18, 0.17, 0.18, and 0.22, respectively). Serum cortisol levels negatively correlated with QUICKI and McAuley indices (with r of −0.19 and −0.21), respectively. In a univariate linear regression, maternal serum cortisol positively correlated with fetal AC, head circumference (HC), and biparietal diameter (BPD) (with r of 0.21; 0.23; and 0.25, respectively). In a multivariate linear regression analysis, cortisol positively correlated with fetal AC, HC, and BPD after adjusting to maternal McAuley index. Conclusion Serum cortisol levels in GDM correlated with fasting blood glucose, triglycerides, and insulin resistance. Besides, serum cortisol levels in GDM positively correlated with fetal development.

Introduction Chronic low-grade inflammation (LGI) plays a role in the pathogenesis of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). LGI, on the one hand, promotes insulin resistance and at the same time, affects fetal development. The study aimed to use clinically feasible means to evaluate the association between maternal LGI and maternal insulin resistance and fetal growth indices by ultrasound in the third trimester. Methods A crossectional and descriptive study on 248 first-time diagnosed GDM in Vietnam. Results Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte (PLR) indices were significantly higher in GDM than in normal glucose-tolerant pregnancies (p = 0.048 and 0.016, respectively). GDM with LGI witnessed significantly higher systolic blood pressure, BMI, HbA1c, and significantly lower quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index (QUICKI) than those without LGI. After adjusting for maternal BMI, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), age, and parity, C-reactive protein (CRP) was positively correlated with HOMA2-IR (B=0.13, p<0.01) and Mathews index (B=0.29, p<0.01). Regarding fetal characteristics, LGI was associated with fetal growth indices in the third trimester of GDM. NLR was negatively correlated with estimated fetal weight (EFW) (B=−64.4, p<0.05) after adjusting for maternal BMI and FPG. After adjusting for maternal BMI, FPG, age, and parity, PLR was negatively correlated with biparietal diameter (B=−0.02, p<0.01) and abdominal circumference (AC) (B=−0.16, p<0.05), and EFW (B=−1.1, p<0.01), and head circumference (HC) (B=−0.06, p<0.01); CRP was negatively correlated with AC (B=−0.16, p<0.001), EFW (B=−85.3, p<0.001), and HC (B=−5.0, p<0.001). Conclusion In the third trimester, LGI was associated with maternal glucose and insulin resistance in GDM. Moreover, LGI was associated with fetal characteristics in ultrasonic images. There were negative correlations between LGI and fetal developmental characteristics.

Introduction: Despite the theoretical importance of serum immunoglobulin (Ig) in the outcome of COPD exacerbations, the existing evidence for this has not been enough. This study was performed to evaluate changes in serum Ig levels and their relationship with outcomes of acute infectious exacerbations in patients with COPD. Methods: The prospective study was conducted at Military Hospital 103 from August 2017 to April 2019. Group D patients with COPD with infectious exacerbation were selected for participation in the study. The control group consisted of 30 healthy people. The patients were provided clinical examination and laboratory service; simultaneously, we measured their serum Ig levels (total IgG, IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4) at two time points: at admission (T1) and the final health outcome (T2). Results: The median levels of total IgG in patients at times T1 and T2 were significantly lower compared with those in the healthy group (1119.3 mg/dL and 1150.6 mg/dL compared with 2032.2 mg/dL) (p < 0.001). Regarding changes among IgG subclasses, the IgG1, IgG3, and IgG4 levels measured at T1 and T2 were reduced significantly compared with the control group (p < 0.05); the IgG3 levels at T1 were significantly higher than those at T2. IgG3 levels in patients with life-threatening exacerbations were significantly lower than the remaining ones (24.6 (26.8–155.5) mg/dL and 25.6 (29.5–161.2) mg/dL, respectively, p = 0.023). Conclusions: In group D patients with COPD with infectious exacerbations, there was a decrease in the serum IgG, IgG1, IgG3, and IgG4 levels. IgG3 levels were associated with the severity of COPD exacerbation.

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