Indoor Aeroallergen Sensitization and Associated Factors in Hospitalized Children with Asthma Exacerbations.

Background: Allergic asthma represents the most popular phenotype of childhood asthma and is characterized by eosinophilic airway inflammation associated with specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies sensitization to various allergens, as evidenced by serology or skin prick test.2 Sensitization to indoor aeroallergens is associated with severe asthma and severe asthma exacerbations. Objective: This study aimed to identify the prevalence of aeroallergen sensitization and its associated factors in children with an asthma exacerbation in Vietnam. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Children's Hospital 1, Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC). Children who were aged 3 to 15 and admitted to the hospital with moderate or severe asthma exacerbation were recruited to the study. Data was collected from interviews and medical records. SPT was used to identify aeroallergen sensitization. The association between school-age, living area, and passive smoking with the odds of aeroallergen sensitization was assessed using a multivariable logistic regression. Results: The prevalence of aeroallergen sensitization was 82.6% and this figure in school-age children was higher than that in preschool-age ones (93.8% vs 72.1%, p=0.001). School-age, living in HCMC, and passive smoking significantly increased the odds of aeroallergen sensitization in asthmatic children with adjusted OR [95%CI] as 6.9 [2.1-23.3], 4.1 [1.5-11.5], and 2.9 [1.0-8.4], respectively. Asthmatic children with aeroallergen sensitization required more hours to resolve an asthma exacerbation than those without (22.4 vs 15.2, p=0.006). Conclusion: Aeroallergen sensitization was common in hospitalized children with moderate or severe asthma exacerbation. It is necessary to establish environmental policy and screening practices of aeroallergen sensitization to improve the quality of asthma management for Vietnamese children.

Cavitary lung disease in hospitalized patients: Differences between melioidosis and tuberculosis.

To differentiate cavitary lung lesions caused by melioidosis and tuberculosis is challenging, especially in endemic countries. A study with a matched-sampling method (16 cavitary pulmonary melioidosis vs. 16 cavitary pulmonary tuberculosis) showed characteristics of bacterial infection more obvious and severe in the melioidosis patients, which were useful to distinguish two conditions.

Awareness and preparedness of healthcare workers against the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional survey across 57 countries.

BACKGROUND: Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, there have been concerns related to the preparedness of healthcare workers (HCWs). This study aimed to describe the level of awareness and preparedness of hospital HCWs at the time of the first wave. METHODS: This multinational, multicenter, cross-sectional survey was conducted among hospital HCWs from February to May 2020. We used a hierarchical logistic regression multivariate analysis to adjust the influence of variables based on awareness and preparedness. We then used association rule mining to identify relationships between HCW confidence in handling suspected COVID-19 patients and prior COVID-19 case-management training. RESULTS: We surveyed 24,653 HCWs from 371 hospitals across 57 countries and received 17,302 responses from 70.2% HCWs overall. The median COVID-19 preparedness score was 11.0 (interquartile range [IQR] = 6.0-14.0) and the median awareness score was 29.6 (IQR = 26.6-32.6). HCWs at COVID-19 designated facilities with previous outbreak experience, or HCWs who were trained for dealing with the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak, had significantly higher levels of preparedness and awareness (p<0.001). Association rule mining suggests that nurses and doctors who had a 'great-extent-of-confidence' in handling suspected COVID-19 patients had participated in COVID-19 training courses. Male participants (mean difference = 0.34; 95% CI = 0.22, 0.46; p<0.001) and nurses (mean difference = 0.67; 95% CI = 0.53, 0.81; p<0.001) had higher preparedness scores compared to women participants and doctors. INTERPRETATION: There was an unsurprising high level of awareness and preparedness among HCWs who participated in COVID-19 training courses. However, disparity existed along the lines of gender and type of HCW. It is unknown whether the difference in COVID-19 preparedness that we detected early in the pandemic may have translated into disproportionate SARS-CoV-2 burden of disease by gender or HCW type.

Mucoepidermoid lung carcinoma in a pediatric patient confused with pneumonia.

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) is a common type of salivary gland malignancy; however, rarely, MEC can arise from the lung. This disease has a non-specific presentation and is often overlooked. Histologically, MEC can be classified into low-grade and high-grade forms. Surgical resection is the optimal treatment for low-grade tumors. In this article, we report a case of MEC in a 5-year-old girl who was initially misdiagnosed with pneumonia. The histological results revealed MEC. Thus, clinicians and radiologists should consider the possibility of this rare entity in patients who fail to respond to antibiotic treatments, even among the pediatric population.

Pleuropulmonary blastoma (type III) in a two-year-old: A case report.

Pleuropulmonary blastoma is a rare, aggressive, malignant tumor of the lungs or pleura that primarily affects children. Pleuropulmonary blastoma is classified into 3 types based on morphology, including cystic (type I), mixed (type II), or solid (type III). These morphological types correlate with prognosis. In this article, we present a case of type III pleuropulmonary blastoma in a 2-year-old girl. The patient was treated with tumoral resection and chemotherapy; however, she experienced local recurrence and spinal metastasis after 5 months of treatment.

Pulmonary mucoepidermoid lung carcinoma in pediatric confused with asthma.

Pulmonary mucoepidermoid carcinoma (PMEC) is an extremely rare tumor of the respiratory system. The clinical presentation of PMEC is variable and nonspecific, including cough, hemoptysis, and wheezing, and may mimic other symptoms of pneumonia or asthma. Here, we present a case of PMEC in a 12-year-old male who was diagnosed with and treated for asthma for 2 years. The patient presented with symptoms of respiratory failure that did not respond to steroids or bronchodilator medications. Chest computed tomography (CT) scans revealed an endotracheal tumor. The patient underwent complete tumor resection, with no signs of recurrence 6 months after treatment.

The first case of Trichophyton spp. pneumonia reported in Vietnam.

A respiratory fungal infection is a severe clinical problem caused by endemic or opportunistic fungi. Although pulmonary fungal infections may be associated with no symptoms, the patient may also present with cough, fever, chest pain, and hemoptysis. Trichophyton spp., a dermatophyte fungus, is a dermatologic pathogen and can cause a deep, sometimes fatal infection. Here, we report the first case of a deep Trichophyton spp. Infection in Vietnam and possibly the first case of Trichophyton spp. pneumonia in the literature, which responded completely to medical therapy. This article highlights the epidemiology of fungal lung infections and describes the clinical approach for when to suspect and how to diagnose this disease.

Stepping down therapy for well-controlled mild asthma: an experience from University Medical Center at Ho Chi Minh City.

BACKGROUND: Stepping down treatment for well-controlled mild asthma is challenging to clinicians. The step-down strategy using regularly-intermittent low-dose inhaled corticosteroid has been applied at the University Medical Center (UMC) of Ho Chi Minh City, called as "UMC" approach. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of UMC step-down strategy in well- controlled mild asthma. METHODS: A real-world retrospective descriptive study was conducted at UMC from 2009 to 2018. All asthmatic patients (age ≥ 12) who received step-down therapy using this UMC approach were evaluated. RESULTS: Among 2,072 asthma patients to be treated with UMC step-down strategy, only 112 subjects were eligible. The median age was 38.5 years and female was 62.5%. Most patients at their initial presentation were indicated step 4 treatment (87.5%). The controller medications before initiation of UMC treatment included fluticasone propionate 125 µg once-daily, salmeterol/fluticasone propionate 25/125 µg once-daily, and formoterol/budesonide 4.5/160 µg once-daily. After being treated with the UMC approach, the rates of well-controlled asthma ranged from 67.6% to 91.1%. During 1 year with UMC treatment, pulmonary function remained stable and only 7 subjects (6.3%) developed exacerbation. CONCLUSION: The UMC step-down treatment for well-controlled mild asthma was relatively efficient in maintaining asthma control, stabilization of pulmonary function, and reducing risk of severe exacerbation.

Aberrant right subclavian artery and bibasilar bronchiectasis: is there any association?

Dysphagia is the most common symptom in symptomatic patients with aberrant right subclavian artery (ARSA) and also the risk factor of aspiration, especially in elderly patients. We presented an 84 year-old female patient with dysphagia induced by the compression of ARSA to the adjacent structures. Recurrent pneumonia and bibasilar bronchiectasis were recorded in the association with ARSA. We concluded that elderly patient with ARSA should be evaluated the pulmonary complications such as aspiration pneumonia and bronchiectasis.