Surveillance of rats and fleas at Noi Bai international airport, 2006

Backgound: Plague disease is one of three most seriously infectious diseases (plague, yellow fever and cholera disease). In Vietnam, this condition has been obviously controlled. The number of new cases and deaths of plague disease have decreased significantly: from 439.6 patients between 1991 and 1995 to 161.2 patients between 1996 and 2000. However, the disease is still circulating in some areas in the world. Objective: To survey plague disease related factors (rats and fleas) at Noi Bai international airport. Subjects and method: A surveillance to inspect plague disease related factors (rats and fleas) was conducted at Noi Bai international airport, Ha Noi, from January/2006 to December/2006. Results and Conclusion: There were two types of rats: R. flavipectus in majority and R. norvegicus. The enrichment index of the two kinds of rats had increased in April and May. R. flavipectus disposed at flat form T1 and R. norvegicus disposed at store area. The only flea species found at the surveillance site was X.cheopis. Bacterial isolation of 236 specimens of liver and spleen, and ELISA tests of 180 blood samples were performed. All of the specimens were negative to Yersinia pestis. The study suggests that the rat populations at Noi Bai airport have not been infected with Yesinia pestis.

Preliminary study on chemical components and pharmacological effects of Loranthus parasiticus (L.) Merr

Loranthus parasiticus (L.) Merr. Loranthaceae (Vietnamese name is Tang ky sinh) was a traditional medicinal herb for treatment of back pain, hypertension, lack of sleep, etc. The chemical analysis confirmed the Loranthus parasiticus (L.) Merr. extract contained flavonoids, adjuvant heart glycosides, antraglycosids, tannin pyrocatechics and organic acids. Total flavonoid content was 0.57%. The pharmacological experiments in mice, dogs, isolated ears and isolated ileum of rabbits have revealed that the Loranthus parasiticus (L.) Merr. extract had antihypertensive, sedative and vasodilator effects. In addition, Loranthus parasiticus (L.) Merr. decrease ileum's mobility of rabbits and had a low acute toxicity

Application of some method for diagnosing allergy to discover the bronchial asthma to house dust mite

40 patients with bronchial asthma in Bach Mai hospital from 6/1998 to 5/1999 and 31 healthy people without allergy. Methods: finding the allergic history and skin test. The results: 52.5% of patients had his own allergic history; 42.5% of patients had a family history; 37.3% of patients had positive skin tests to foreign bodies of house dust mite; 32.5% of patients had allergic antibody against foreign bodies of house dust mite was more 30%. Among methods of specific diagnosis of allergy, there was a close relation between skin test and reaction of decomposition of mastocyte.