Desde el inicio de la pandemia, en el Perú se ha utilizado medicamentos carentes de fundamento científico para COVID-19, como la ivermectina. A pesar de su probada ineficacia y las consecuencias catastróficas de su implementación, aún es recomendado en algunos centros de atención del país. En el resto del mundo, el avance en el tratamiento antiviral ha sido enorme, destacando el uso de remdesivir, que es el único antiviral para COVID-19 con aprobación total de la FDA, y recomendado en pacientes hospitalizados con enfermedad severa, aunque la evidencia científica también sugiere una gran utilidad en personas de alto riesgo con síntomas leves. Otras terapias importantes son los anticuerpos monoclonales, que son empleados en pacientes ambulatorios con cuadros clínicos leves o moderados. Asimismo, son usados en el ámbito preventivo como profilaxis pre y post exposición. Uno de...

Introduction: Due to the high incidence of mpox in Peru and the poor knowledge about this disease among healthcare workers in non-endemic countries, it is crucial to determine the knowledge status of Peruvian physicians. Methodology: We conducted an analytical cross-sectional study based on an online survey from August to September 2022. Physicians who had a medical license and lived and practiced medicine in Peru were included. To evaluate the factors associated with a higher level of knowledge, we used crude (cPR) and adjusted (aPR) prevalence ratios with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) using Poisson regression. Results: We included 463 physicians. The mean age was 36.6 (SD: 10.3) years, and most were male (58.1%). Regarding knowledge, the median knowledge score was 14 [IQR: 13 to 15] out of 17 points. In terms of knowledge gaps, only 60.7% of the participants knew that there was an ...

Since the beginning of the pandemic, drugs with no scientific evidence for COVID-19, such as ivermectin, have been used in Peru. Despite its proven ineffectiveness and the catastrophic consequences of its implementation, ivermectin is still recommended in some medical centers in the country. In the rest of the world, the advance in antiviral treatment has been enormous. In this context, we can highlight the use of remdesivir, which is the only antiviral for COVID-19 with full FDA approval that is recommended in hospitalized patients with severe disease; however, the scientific evidence also suggests that it is very useful in high-risk individuals with a mild COVID-19 presentation. Other important therapies are the monoclonal antibodies, which are prescribed for outpatients with mild or moderate symptoms. They are also used in prevention, particularly in pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis...

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Background: The growing threat from pre-extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (pre-XDR-TB) and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB) poses a major public health concern in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). Therefore, this study aimed to summarize the available evidence on the prevalence of pre-XDR-TB and XDR-TB among patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in LAC. Methods: A systematic review was conducted in the following databases on June 3, 2023: PubMed, Scopus, Ovid Medline, Web of Science, Scielo and LILACS. We estimated pooled proportions using a random effects model (Dersimonian and Laird). The 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated using the binomial exact method (Clopper-Pearson Method). Subgroup (by time period and country) and sensitivity analyses were performed. Results: Twenty-nine studies were eligible for qualitative synthesis and 27 for...

The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on medical care and medical education in Peru.  In response, the Peruvian American Medical Society (PAMS), a charitable medical organization based in the USA, pursued its medical and educational missions in Peru by adopting virtual learning technology. We developed closer collaborative relationships with several medical schools and the Peruvian Association of Medical Schools (ASPEFAM) while offering a faculty panel of twenty-four members to provide lectures and multidisciplinary webinars in Spanish. We conducted 19 webinars including COVID -19 and non-COVID-19 related topics that over the last two years attracted 14,489 participants from 23 countries. They were the foundation for twenty publications in Peruvian medical journals. Our clinical investigations competition was positively received as was our pilot project on research mentorsh...

Latin America has reported a 9% increase in new HIV infections from 2010 to 2023. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a crucial biomedical intervention for preventing HIV transmission. Currently, several antiretroviral drugs, in various forms of administration, have demonstrated high efficacy and effectiveness to protect against HIV. Among the oral drugs, we have emtricitabine/te-nofovir and emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide, while alternative options include the dapivirine vaginal ring, injectable drugs such as Cabotegravir, and the most recently studied Lenacapavir. Despite their high efficacy and effectiveness, implementing PrEP in Latin America has been challenging throughout the region. Although some countries such as Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia have shown progress in increasing the number of users, there is a significant gap between these countries and others where PrEP access re...

The objective of this study was to evaluate the knowledge level and perception of dengue fever management among Peruvian physicians and to determine the factors associated with higher knowledge.We conducted an analytical cross-sectional study based on an online survey. To evaluate the factors associated with a high level of knowledge ($70% of correct answers), we used crude (cPR) and adjusted (aPR) prevalence ratios by the Poisson regression model. Of 359 respondents (median age: 33 years; male: 56.5%), 78.8% achieved a high level of knowledge. Multivariable analysis showed an independent association with having read the Peruvian clinical practice guidelines for dengue management (aPR: 1.29; 95% CI: 1.12–1.49), having experience in treating patients (aPR: 1.32; 95% CI: 1.03–1.68), and having treated cases frequently (aPR: 1.22; 95% CI: 1.02–1.46). Residing in the eastern macroregio...