Toxocara sp. is the most common nematode in zoonotic helminth diseases worldwide. However, data on this issue remain limited in Vietnam, particularly regarding Toxocara seroprevalence in various geographical regions.

Healthcare workers (HCWs) have increased risks of active tuberculosis, yet there are limited reports of incidence and risk factors of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) among HCWs.

Community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus ST8/SCCmecIVl occasionally causes invasive infections. Only severe cases harbored p32kb, with repA1, oriT-based recombination with conjugative pWtra, and a virulence gene cluster with varying citABC positivity associated with intramuscular and non-intramuscular infections. Our findings highlight the potentially critical role of citA (CitA superantigen), which may be applied as a potential severity marker.

People with diabetes (PWD) exhibit a higher prevalence of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, making them a crucial population for HCV screening and micro-elimination efforts. In light of the first published interdisciplinary consensus on managing/screening HCV in PWD, this study aims to evaluate the results and identify effective strategies for incorporating HCV screening and treatment into an existing diabetes care model managed by case managers.

ED-initiated outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) aims to reduce admissions and relieve ED boarding. In practice, however, OPAT may be used as a "middle-ground" alternative to oral therapy, complicating assessment of its true value. Because studies using matched inpatient and outpatient comparators with longitudinal endpoints are scarce, we evaluated the effectiveness, safety, and medical costs of an ED-initiated OPAT program in Taiwan.

This study aimed to evaluate the ability of tuberculin skin test (TST) and interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) to predict progression of latent tuberculosis (LTBI) to active tuberculosis.

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by immune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β-cells, resulting in lifelong insulin dependence. Interleukin-17A (IL-17A), associated with T1D progression and complications, can mobilize and activate neutrophils to release lytic enzymes, reactive oxygen species, and cytokines, thereby promoting systemic inflammation and cell destruction; such neutrophil-driven responses have also been implicated in autoimmune diseases, including diabetes. This study aimed to compare the clinical characteristics and neutrophil stress of IL-17A-positive and -negative T1D patients.

Since coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, its variants have challenged vaccine effectiveness and immunity, particularly among high-risk individuals. Assessment of the risk of severe COVID-19 in these populations is crucial for informed therapeutic decisions. We aim to correlate early quantitative SARS-CoV-2 spike antibody (S ab) levels in SARS-CoV-2 infections with the risk of severe COVID-19.

Endophthalmitis is an ophthalmic emergency. In recent years, the incidence of endogenous endophthalmitis (EE) has increased. This study aims to elucidate the clinical characteristics and risk factors associated with the visual prognosis of EE.

Aspergillus-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) positivity typically indicates exposure to Aspergillus species, but its clinical significance among chronic lung diseases remains uncertain.

To explore factors significantly associated with plasma procalcitonin (PCT) concentration elevation among patients with monomicrobial Gram-negative bacteremia.

Microbes and their metabolites are implicated in respiratory diseases, including allergic rhinitis (AR); however, the interaction between the gut and respiratory tract and the role of microbes remains unclear. We investigated the gut and nasal microbiota variations between AR and control mice and their role in the bidirectional regulation of the gut-nasal axis.

Vancomycin-resistant enterococcal bloodstream infections (VRE-BSIs) carry high mortality in patients with malignancy. While neutropenia is a known risk factor for mortality in patients with malignancy and BSI, its impact on the effectiveness of daptomycin and linezolid in VRE-BSI is not well defined.

Interferon-gamma release assays (IGRAs) measure immune responses to pathogen-specific antigens such as tuberculosis. However, the assay hinges on a functional immune system. Whether IGRAs can be used to identify heart transplant candidates with impaired immunity and worse prognosis is not known.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of respiratory infections in infants and young children. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted global RSV epidemiology. This study aimed to investigate the impact of the pandemic on RSV epidemiology in northern Taiwan from 2018 to 2023.

Hemodialysis (HD) patients with nasal Staphylococcus aureus carriage are at an increased risk of S. aureus infection.

Machine learning (ML) techniques are increasingly being used in health outcome research to develop predictive models. However, ML models are often referred to as "black box models" because they lack interpretability. Our goal was to develop an ML model to predict mortality risk in patients with community-onset bacteremia.

Third-generation cephalosporin-resistant Enterobacterales is a recognized global concern. This study investigated the molecular epidemiology of β-lactamase genes and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns among ceftriaxone-resistant Enterobacterales causing intra-abdominal and urinary tract infections in Taiwan between 2009 and 2019.

Acinetobacter seifertii, a recently identified member of the Acinetobacter calcoaceticus-Acinetobacter baumannii (Acb) complex, has emerged as a cause of severe human infections. It is closely related to Acinetobacter nosocomialis, a major pathogen of the Acb complex. Here, we aimed to explore the clinical and molecular differences between these two species.

To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of oral levofloxacin verse trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) for the treatment of macrolides-resistant pertussis in pediatric outpatients.