The COVID-19 pandemic represented the greatest health and public management challenge of the 21st century for health systems in South America. Peru was one of the countries with the highest mortality rates globally during 2020 and 2021, a situation that evidenced deep structural gaps in its health system. This special article synthesizes the available scientific evidence on the response and lessons learned in South American countries facing the pandemic, based on a literature review published between 2020 and February 2025. It analyzes non-pharmacological interventions, the functioning of health services, the fight against the infodemic, social support, the use of telehealth, vaccination campaigns, and the innovations applied. Responses varied significantly among countries in terms of timeliness, scope, and effectiveness, allowing for the identification of key areas of intervention and replicable good practices. Among the most relevant lessons, the highlights include the need to strengthen critical health infrastructure, institutionalize telehealth, actively combat the infodemic, and promote research and innovation as strategic components of the response.
Objectives:To determine the microbiological quality of water for human consumption at an international airport in Peru according to national regulations, to evaluate the phenotypic antimicrobial resistance patterns of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from water systems, and to explore its possible role as an environmental reservoir of resistant bacteria at an international entry point. Materials and methods:Descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in 2024. A total of 145 water samples from airport terminal taps, restaurants, supplier companies, wells, and aircraft were analyzed. Microbiological indicators were evaluated according to current national regulations, and the antimicrobial susceptibility of 67 P. aeruginosa isolates was determined by disk diffusion. MDR, XDR, and PDR classifications were established according to international criteria. Results:50.3% (73/145) of the samples did not meet the microbiological standards established by the regulations. P. aeruginosa was detected in 55.8% (81/145) of the samples. Of the 67 isolates analyzed, 38.8% were classified as MDR and 11.9% as XDR; no PDR isolates were identified. Concentrations exceeding 16 MPN/100 mL were observed at multiple points in the system, including aircraft. Conclusions:The detection of resistant P. aeruginosa in airport water systems suggests sanitary vulnerabilities and a possible role as an environmental reservoir of resistant bacteria. It is recommended to strengthen microbiological surveillance and incorporate antimicrobial resistance assessment into water quality monitoring programs at international entry points.
Objectives:To estimate the frequency of nasal carriers of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA) among healthcare personnel of the Red de Salud Huamanga (Ayacucho, Peru) between October and November 2024. Materials and methods:Descriptive cross-sectional study in 265 healthcare workers, recruited by convenience sampling. Nasal swabs were cultured on mannitol salt agar, MRSA was confirmed by cefoxitin disk diffusion (EUCAST v14.0 2024: diameter <22 mm). Antimicrobial susceptibility was evaluated by Kirby-Bauer. The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) was recorded by structured questionnaire. Absolute and relative frequencies were calculated. Results:Staphylococcus aureus was detected in 14.0% (37/265) of the participants. Of these isolates, 64.9% (24/37) were MRSA, representing a frequency of 9.1% (24/265). Of the total Staphylococcus aureus carriers, MRSA isolates were more frequent in interns/trainees (18.9%; 7/37) and nurses (16.2%; 6/37). Outpatient clinics (27.0%; 10/37) and emergency (13.5%; 5/37) concentrated the highest number of carriers. High resistance to erythromycin was observed in MRSA (70.8%) and in methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (84.6%). Conclusions:In the studied sample, approximately one in ten healthcare workers was a nasal carrier of MRSA. Given the convenience sampling, the findings should not be extrapolated as population prevalence. Strengthening the use of PPE, hand hy-giene, and microbiological surveillance are priority measures to reduce transmission.
We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study in the neonatology service of the Hospital Nacional Guillermo Almenara Irigoyen (2020-2024) to characterize the clinical and microbiological profile of neonates with carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteremia. Nineteen neonates were included; most were preterm and low birth weight, and approximately half presented bacteremia secondary to a respiratory focus. All strains carried the blaNDM gene. In vitro, 84.2% (16/19) were susceptible to amikacin and 40% (6/15) to tigecycline. All isolates had intermediate susceptibility to colistin and resistance to multiple antimicrobials. Empirical therapy was appropriate in 7/16 (43.8%) and about a fifth of the patients died. The identification of blaNDM reinforces the importance of local genomic surveillance to guide empirical therapy. The type of carbapenemase and its impact on mortality is a future research gap.
Objectives:To determine the association between intimate partner violence and alexithymia in pregnant women treated at two hospitals in Cusco, 2025. Materials and methods:A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted, which included 286 pregnant women treated in the outpatient clinics of Gynecology and Obstetrics at Hospital Antonio Lorena and Hospital Regional del Cusco between February and April 2025. Direct interviews were applied using the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) and the Woman Abuse Screening Tool (WAST). Statistical analysis was performed using the generalized linear model (GLM) with Poisson distribution, logarithmic link function, and robust variance, calculating adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR). Results:286 pregnant women were included. 71.7% presented alexithymia and 55.6% reported intimate partner violence (IPV). The study reveals that the prevalence of alexithymia was 50% higher in pregnant women with IPV (aPR: 1.50; 95% CI: 1.26-1.79; p<0.001), adjusted for origin, educational level, employment status, economic situation, number of gestations, and pregnancy planning. Conclusions:Intimate partner violence was significantly associated with a higher prevalence of alexithymia in pregnant women treated at two hospitals in Cusco. Pregnant women exposed to violence showed a 50% higher prevalence of alexithymia, even after adjusting for sociodemographic and obstetric variables.
