Respiratory Diseases and Meningitis group

Dr. Dr. Nguyen Dang Manh, MD. PhD.

Our research group focuses on investigations with respect to respiratory diseases and also on Meningitis caused by bacteria, viruses and parasites. We aim to achieve timely diagnosis and thus effective management of treatment. We are involved in clinical research and on trials to optimize treatment therapy for our patients. Currently, our group is engaged in a project approved by Ministry of Defense on Neisseria Meningitidis in new military recruits, targeting human immune response to Meningococcus and to identify the risk factors for acquiring invasive meningococcal disease.

Infectious Diseases and Sepsis group

Dr. Dr. Vu Viet Sang, MD. PhD.

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition, caused commonly by a bacterial infection. The morbidity and mortality due to sepsis is increasing in our hospital setting. Our group focuses on early recognition of sepsis based on clinical and sub-clinical manifestation and by utilizing new biomarkers. We develop and apply new assays towards rapid and early detection of pathogens. We aim to improve the clinical outcome in sepsis patients by new antibiotic regimen, and improved treatment using vitamin and zinc as supplement. We collaborate intramurally towards development and application of PCR based assays on early detection of most common bacteria that causes sepsis directly from clinical blood samples.

Medical Microbiology and Clinical Trials

Dr. Dr. Bui Tien Sy, MD. PhD (Germany)

We focus on detection and identification of microbial pathogens and determining the resistant patterns of those both in phenotype and genotype. The other aim of our working group is to understand the host-viral interactions during infection by hepatitis B viruses (HBV). Also in this context, we aim to understand the genetic epidemiology of Hepatitis Delta (HDV) and Hepatitis E (HEV) and how these super infections may influence the clinical outcome in HBV patients.

We review the antibiotic resistances every three months and recommend antibiotics for treating patients in our hospital. Currently we are conducting a project named “Clinical significance and molecular characterization of hepatitis E and hepatitis D virus infections in high risk populations in Vietnam and applying advanced molecular techniques in diagnostics” within the framework of the bilateral call between Vietnamese and German governments.

Clinical Trial Platform

Dr. Dr. The Trong Nguyen, MD, PhD (Germany)

Our research group focuses on conducting ICH-GCP/GCLP-compliant phase I-IV clinical trials and clinical research on dengue haemorrhagic fever, malaria, sepsis, meningitis and various severe infectious diseases. Dr Nguyen is also deputy head of the Airborne Infectious Diseases Unit and the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Various clinical trials have been conducted in this group, e.g. on antimalarials, therapeutics for dengue fever and COVID-19 vaccines.

Anti-microbial resistances and Diagnostics

Dr. Ngo Tat Trung, PhD (Germany).

It is very essential to achieve rapid diagnosis for appropriate downstream interventions for patients suffering from meningitis, sepsis and/or other infectious acute syndromes. In this context, we focus on translational use of synthetic gene networks, synthetic biology into paper-based diagnostic prototype device for detecting acute infectious pathogens. Our effort aims to tackle multiple infectious conditions including blood stream infections, tuberculosis, influenza, meningitis in poor and resource limited areas especially in a low middle income country such as Vietnam. The second focus of our team is on cancer diagnosis and treatment, especially patients with liver cancer. Implementation of effective and reliable strategies to survey the risk populations and/or to detect cancer at an early stage could improve the survival of patients with this disease.

Viral hepatitis and Host directed therapies

Dr. Dr. Nghiem Xuan Hoan, MD, PhD (Germany)

The research group focuses on both basic and clinical studies on viral hepatitis (hepatitis B/C/D/E) and related liver diseases. We will also expand our research field to other aspects including NAFLD (Non Alcohol Fatty Liver Disease), ALD (Alcoholic Liver Disease). The aim of the group is to conduct clinical trials evaluating the new drugs/therapies for the treatment of viral hepatitis especially for advanced liver diseases or end-stage of chronic liver diseases including liver cirrhosis and HCC irrespective of etiologies. Our group is involved in two NAFOSTED projects: (i) Immune checkpoint in HBV infection; (ii) Genetics and Epigenetic changes in the JAK-STAT signaling pathway in hepatitis B virus and related liver diseases. Our team will be involved in the conduct of a Phase III clinical trial (Delta Liver Improvement and Virologic Response in HDV (D-LIVR)). This project is in collaboration with Stanford University and with EIGER Pharma, USA.

Gastric Cancer and Host-Pathogen interactions

Dr. Tran Thi Huyen Trang, PhD (Japan)

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) research is one of our key research interest. Our group is devoted to understand distinct features of H. pylori virulence and host factors, those contribute to the long-term persistence of H. pylori infection and the risk of development of gastric cancer. We first reported about high prevalence of ARM strains of H. pylori isolated in Vietnam. Using NGS analysis the team has elucidated new gene mutations (hp1048 (infB), hp1314 (rpl22), rdxA) in causing resistance to Metronidazole and Clarithromycin. We are working on testing several natural products (curcumin, liposomes, linolenic acid) to replete all or part uses of antibiotics in H. pylori treatment.