Association of BRAF V600E Mutation with Tumor Recurrence in a Small Sample of Filipino Patients with Papillary Thyroid Cancer in a Single Center.

Background And Objective: Epidemiological studies have shown that Filipinos have a higher prevalence of welldifferentiated thyroid cancer and a higher rate of recurrence. The BRAF V600E mutation has been proposed as a potential prognostic marker in aggressive papillary thyroid cancers. In this study, we determined whether this mutation is a risk factor for tumor recurrence in papillary thyroid cancer among Filipinos.

Assessment of the Biosafety and Biosecurity Landscape in the Philippines and the Development of the National Biorisk Management Framework.

The emergence of biological threats that can potentially affect millions emphasizes the need to develop a policy framework in the Philippines that can mount an adequate and well-coordinated response. The objective of the study was to assess, strengthen, and harmonize efforts in biorisk management through the development of a National Biorisk Management Framework. The development of the National Biorisk Management Framework was carried out in two phases: (1) assessment of the current biosafety and biosecurity landscape and (2) framework development.

Biosafety Capacity Building During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Results, Insights, and Lessons Learned from an Online Approach in the Philippines.

Introduction: COVID-19 diagnosis was one of the most pressing needs during the early stages of the pandemic. Its entire procedure has inherent biosafety risks that if not properly managed and mitigated can be life threatening. Cognizant of this vital aspect, the Department of Health (DOH) imposed a biosafety training requirement to all laboratories and institutions before they could perform COVID-19 diagnostic testing.

HIV-1 Subtype Shift in the Philippines is Associated With High Transmitted Drug Resistance, High Viral Loads, and Fast Immunologic Decline.

Objectives: The Philippines has one of the fastest growing HIV epidemics in the world. A subtype shift from B to CRF01_AE may have contributed to the increase in cases. We undertook a genotyping and transmitted drug resistance (TDR) study to determine if the dominant subtype has any advantages in resistance and transmission.

3-in-1: bilateral subcutaneous leg abscesses and liver abscess from .

Hypervirulent strains of are known to cause liver abscesses and other metastatic infections. Being Asian and having diabetes are known host risk factors. Here we present an unusual case of a Filipino ballet dancer-choreographer with diabetes presenting with bilateral leg pains initially thought to be cellulitis, but was eventually diagnosed as bilateral subcutaneous leg abscesses.

High rates of tenofovir failure in a CRF01_AE-predominant HIV epidemic in the Philippines.

Background: The Philippines has the fastest growing HIV epidemic in the Asia-Pacific. This increase was accompanied by a shift in the predominant HIV subtype from B to CRF01_AE. Increasing evidence points to a difference in treatment responses between subtypes.

Prevalence and molecular characteristics of MRSA nasal carriage among hospital care workers in a tertiary hospital in the Philippines.

Background: Hospital-care workers (HCWs) are at risk for MRSA carriage, subsequent infection and potential transmission of nosocomial infection. Epidemiological typing of MRSA among HCWs would provide data that can be used for control measures.

Methods: This is a cross sectional study that involved 92 participants from pediatric and surgery department of a tertiary hospital.

Genotypic persistence of dengue virus in the Philippines.

The Philippines is known to have one of the world's highest prevalences of dengue infection. The disease has been endemic in the country since 1956 and the severe form was first reported during an outbreak in Manila in 1954. Among all of the countries in the world, the Philippines had the highest case fatality rate from 2008 to 2012.