Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University Vietnam Research Station

Main RESEARCH ACTIVITIES & SOCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS at the Vietnam Research Station

Research on epidemics of mosquito-borne infectious diseases such as dengue fever and Zika fever (2006-)

PI: Prof. HASEBE Futoshi, Assoc. prof. TAKAMATSU Yuki

Samples of patients with acute fever will be collected and analyzed for viral genes, viral plasma, and antibody activity, with the goal of elucidating background factors in dengue fever epidemics throughout Vietnam and the causes of severe dengue fever.

Research on mosquito vectors of viral infections in Vietnam (2006-)

PI: Prof. MINAKAWA Noboru

We are investigating the seasonal variation in the number of dengue fever cases in southern Vietnam in correlation with rainfall, temperature, and other factors. Our goal is to clarify the mechanism of dengue fever epidemics with the obtained information, and to predict future epidemics.

Pediatric Respiratory Infections Study with the Nha Trang Resident Cohort (2006-)

PI: Prof. YOSHIDA Lay Myint, Prof. ARIYOSHI Koya

Estimates the population-based burden of disease for severe pneumonia, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations in Central Vietnam. The role of rhinovirus, RS virus, and emerging viruses and their risk factors for severe pneumonia, asthma, and COPD exacerbations are examined.
*A cohort study is a type of study that tracks changes in the health status of a specific group (=cohort) to examine the association between factors and the onset of disease.

Search for unknown pathogens of wild animal origin (2006-)

PI: Prof. HASEBE Futoshi, Prof. YASUDA Jiro, Assoc. prof. ABE Haruka

The goal is to analyze pathogens hidden in the bodies of wild animals and to verify the risk of infection to humans and other animals.
Bats may coexist with unknown pathogens not found in humans, such as SARS and Nipah virus, which have been pandemic in Asia since 2000, and bats have been noted as natural hosts.
Bat species account for about 20% of all mammals and are distributed worldwide. Vietnam is also home to a variety of bat species, including insectivorous bats and fruit bats. The Vietnam Research Station has collected and analyzed blood and urine samples from bats captured throughout the country, from caves in the north to temples where bats gather in Soc Trang Province in the south, and has so far discovered the existence of a closely related virus to the Nipah virus and a new species of alpha ferpes virus.

Research on infectious diarrhea (2006-)

PI: Prof. KODAMA Toshio

We have been conducting research to elucidate trends in diarrheal pathogens in Asian countries. Our goal is to clarify the genetical transition of diarrheal pathogens and to explore the causes of the epidemic.
The following studies have been conducted.
1）Comparative genomic analysis of enteropathogenic bacteria
2）Identification and functional analysis of factors contributing to the global epidemic of Vibrio sp.
3）Molecular epidemiological analysis of norovirus and rotavirus in patients with diarrhea

Cross-sectional study on diagnosis, prevention, treatment, and prognosis of novel coronaviruses (2020-)

Since the confirmation of the first case of COVID-19 infection in Vietnam in January 2020, we have been collaborating with NIHE to collect and store clinical specimens, perform seroepidemiological and molecular epidemiological analyses, while sharing specimen information provided for cross-sectional and center-based utilization studies with collaborators to continuously accumulate survey and research data. Our goals are to determine the comprehensive status of the immune response of infected individuals, detect various viral genes and antibodies, and identify other respiratory infections and other environmental factors that may promote severe disease in patients during the course of the study.

Search for host and viral factors associated with COVID-19 epidemic in Vietnam (2021-)

Through cross-immunity surveys, immune response surveys of vaccinators, and post-illness follow-up studies, our goal is to elucidate the factors behind the initial low prevalence of COVID-19 in Vietnam and the subsequent epidemic.

Social Contribution Activities

Public Lecture in Vietnam

Participants working on an experiment under the guidance of a staff（FY2016）

Lecture for Japanese School Parents（FY2019）

Since 2008, the Vietnam Research Station has held annual public lectures to inform the public about the infectious disease research that Nagasaki University is conducting in Vietnam in an easy-to-understand manner.
We have given lectures on infectious diseases for Japanese expatriates, such as "Countermeasures against Infectious Diseases in Vietnam," and practical training for elementary and junior high school students on the theme of "Let's learn about mosquitoes and the diseases they bring.
In 2019, we invited an expert from WHO Vietnam to speak to students and parents attending Japanese schools on the topic of "Children's diseases and what vaccinations can do".
After the lecture, there was a lively question-and-answer session about the timing and necessity of vaccinations in Vietnam, a meaningful lecture that also demonstrated the high level of interest among the parents.

Development of a rapid antibody diagnostic kit for new coronavirus infection (2020-)

In January 2020, when a new type of coronavirus infection began to spread around the world, we responded to NIHE's request by providing diagnostic reagents and technical assistance on diagnostic methods.
In collaboration with Vietnam, we have also succeeded in developing a test kit that can rapidly test for the presence of infection. This test kit has been implemented in society and has greatly contributed to the establishment of a new type of coronavirus infection testing system in Vietnam and the prevention of the spread of infection.

Recommendations for measures in Zika fever endemic areas (2020)

Zika fever is a mosquito-borne infectious disease caused by infection with the Zika virus. When pregnant women are infected, their fetuses may develop congenital microcephaly, and the outbreak in South America in 2015-2016 attracted international attention as an infectious disease to watch out for.
A research group from the Institute of Tropical Medicine and NIHE has successfully conducted a field study in Vietnam to determine the epidemic status of Zika virus and to estimate when the Zika virus, which was endemic in South America, entered Vietnam. This has clarified the mode of spread of the Zika virus to Vietnam and some aspects of the global epidemic dynamics.
Based on the ACHIEVEMENTS of this study, we identified factors that contribute to the spread of Zika fever and issues in countermeasures, devised recommendations for the study's infectious disease control measures, and provided information to the Vietnamese Ministry of Health and the WHO.

Recommendation to introduce vaccination (2016-)

A cohort study in Central Vietnam has revealed that Streptococcus pneumoniae, RS virus, and influenza virus are important pathogens of pneumonia. Based on these ACHIEVEMENTS, Professor YOSHIDA Lay Myint recommended the introduction of a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) to the Vietnamese Ministry of Health.
In addition, a birth cohort study conducted in Nha Trang City revealed that 30% of the pregnant women surveyed did not have rubella antibodies. Subsequently, the Vietnamese Ministry of Health has introduced routine rubella vaccination with reference to the ACHIEVEMENTS of this study.