
David Alberto Forero-PeñaBiomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccine Institute · Cuidad Bolívar, Venezuela
David Alberto Forero-Peña
Doctor of Medicine
About
68
Publications
9,965
Reads
How we measure 'reads'
A 'read' is counted each time someone views a publication summary (such as the title, abstract, and list of authors), clicks on a figure, or views or downloads the full-text. Learn more
511
Citations
Introduction
Infectious and tropical diseases in Venezuela
Additional affiliations
January 2021 - present
Education
January 2019 - December 2020
January 2016 - December 2018
January 2007 - December 2012
Publications
Publications (68)
Accurate malaria diagnosis with precise identification of Plasmodium species is crucial for an effective treatment. While microscopy is still the gold standard in malaria diagnosis, it relies heavily on trained personnel. Artificial intelligence (AI) advances, particularly convolutional neural networks (CNNs), have significantly improved diagnostic...
Over the past decade, Venezuela has experienced a political and economic crisis that has affected the country’s scientific research development. Currently, the state of HIV research in Venezuela remains unknown. We conducted a systematic review identifying 683 articles over the last 20 years of which only 101 met our inclusion criteria. A decrease...
Background
Disseminated nocardiosis is a rare and potentially fatal disease, with a higher incidence in immunocompromised patients, such as those living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or hematological malignancies, including lymphoma. Information on Nocardia spp. infection in Venezuela is limited.
Case presentation
We present the case of...
Background
In Venezuela, the predominant vaccines administered are BBIBP-CorV and Gam-COVID-Vac. Despite robust evidence from randomized clinical trials validating the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines in mitigating hospitalization and mortality, there is still a lack of post-authorization safety studies conducted within this demographic populatio...
The malaria parasites Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax differ in key biological processes and associated clinical effects, but consequences on population-level transmission dynamics are difficult to predict. This co-endemic malaria study from Guyana details important epidemiological contrasts between the species by coupling population gen...
The year 2024 marked a pivotal moment in the history
of public health in the Americas as the region
grappled with an unprecedented surge in dengue
cases1,2. Dengue, primarily transmitted by Aedes aegypti
and A. albopictus, now also has the risk of transmission
by A. vitattus3, detected in Caribbean countries such as
the Dominican Republic and Puert...
Background
Despite nearly a quarter of Venezuelans remaining unvaccinated against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the factors contributing to vaccine hesitancy in the country have not been thoroughly investigated.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted from October 15th to 30th, 2022, using a knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) s...
The malaria parasites Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax differ in key biological processes and associated clinical effects, but consequences on population-level transmission dynamics are difficult to predict. This co-endemic malaria study from Guyana details important epidemiological contrasts between the species by coupling population gen...
Background
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has disrupted multiple health services, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing, care, and treatment services, jeopardizing the achievement of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS 90-90-90 global target. While there are limited studies assessing the impact of the COV...
Background
While rigorous randomized clinical trials have substantiated the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines in reducing hospitalization and mortality rates, there is a paucity of post-authorization analyses conducted in real-world settings. In Venezuela, the primary vaccines administered are BBIBP-CorV (Sinopharm) and Gam-COVID-Vac (Sputnik-V). Howev...
Background
Persistent headache is a frequent symptom after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and there is currently limited knowledge about its clinical spectrum and predisposing factors. A subset of patients may be experiencing new daily persistent headache (NDPH) after COVID-19, which is among the most treatment-refractory primary headache synd...
Background
Despite nearly a quarter of Venezuelans remaining unvaccinated against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the factors contributing to vaccine hesitancy in the country have not been thoroughly investigated.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted from October 15th to 30th, 2022, using a knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) su...
La sepsis es una disfunción orgánica potencialmente mortal debida a una respuesta desregulada del hospedero a la infección. No sólo contribuye con el 20 % de todas las causas de muerte de forma global, sino que los sobrevivientes de esta también pueden experimentar una significativa morbilidad a largo plazo. La sepsis y el shock séptico son emergen...
Background
While rigorous randomized clinical trials have substantiated the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines in reducing hospitalization and mortality rates, there is a paucity of post-authorization analyses conducted in real-world settings. In Venezuela, the primary vaccines administered are Sinopharm and Sputnik-V. However, the performance and effec...
Background
Persistent headache is a frequent symptom after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and there is currently limited knowledge about its clinical spectrum and predisposing factors. A subset of patients may be experiencing new daily persistent headache (NDPH) after COVID-19, which is among the most treatment-refractory primary headache synd...
Background
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted multiple health services, including HIV testing, care, and treatment services, jeopardizing the achievement of the UNAIDS 90-90-90 global target. While there are limited studies assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Latin America, there are none, to our know...
Purpose of Review
The aim of this study was to compile all cases of yellow fever (YF) recorded in the Guiana Shield (GS), a region located on the northeastern shore of South America.
Recent Findings
Yellow fever causes several deaths in French Guiana during the last years. In this context, we wanted to know if it was due to a lack of vaccination o...
During the last three and a half years (2020–2023), the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), generated an international emergency, defined as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) and was later a declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO...
Background:
Viral hepatitis (VH) is a leading contributor to morbidity and mortality worldwide, constituting a public health problem associated with the level of human development. In recent years, Venezuela has experienced a political, social, and economic crisis and has been impacted by natural disasters that have led to the deterioration of san...
Background
Malaria remains a leading public health problem worldwide. Co-infections with other pathogens complicate its diagnosis and may modify the disease’s clinical course and management. Similarities in malaria clinical presentation with other infections and overlapping endemicity result in underdiagnosis of co-infections and increased mortalit...
Background
Malaria‐endemic areas are not spared from the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), leading to co-infection scenarios where overlapping symptoms impose serious diagnostic challenges. Current knowledge on Plasmodium spp. and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) co‐infection in pregnant women remains limite...
Background
The COVID-19 pandemic has overwhelmed health systems around the world, causing access problems. The patient referral system in Caracas, Venezuela has no interinstitutional coordination, patients are given a note by the referring center and thereafter seeking care relies on themselves. We studied primarily to what extent the Caracas healt...
Background
Viral hepatitis (VH) is a leading contributor to morbidity and mortality worldwide, constituting a public health problem associated with the level of human development. In recent years, Venezuela has experienced a political, social, and economic crisis and has been impacted by natural disasters that have led to the deterioration of sanit...
Background
In low- and middle-income countries, pregnant women and newborns are more vulnerable to adverse outcomes from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, in Venezuela, there are no integrated data in a national surveillance system to identify the clinical-epidemiological characteristics and maternal-foetal outcomes of pregnant women h...
Background
Malaria remains a leading public health problem worldwide. Co-infections with other pathogens complicate its diagnosis and may modify the disease’s clinical course and management. Similarities in the clinical presentation of malaria and other infections and overlapping endemicity result in the underdiagnoses of co-infections and increase...
Despite notable scientific and medical advances, broader political, socioeconomic and behavioural factors continue to undercut the response to the COVID-19 pandemic1,2. Here we convened, as part of this Delphi study, a diverse, multidisciplinary panel of 386 academic, health, non-governmental organization, government and other experts in COVID-19 r...
Despite notable scientific and medical advances, broader political, socioeconomic and behavioural factors continue to undercut the response to the COVID-19 pandemic 1,2 . Here we convened, as part of this Delphi study, a diverse, multidisciplinary panel of 386 academic, health, non-governmental organization, government and other experts in COVID-19...
Despite notable scientific and medical advances, broader political, socioeconomic and behavioural factors continue to undercut the response to the COVID-19 pandemic1,2. Here we convened, as part of this Delphi study, a diverse, multidisciplinary panel of 386 academic, health, non-governmental organization, government and other experts in COVID-19 r...
Despite notable scientific and medical advances, broader political, socioeconomic and behavioural factors continue to undercut the response to the COVID-19 pandemic 1,2 . Here we convened, as part of this Delphi study, a diverse, multidisciplinary panel of 386 academic, health, non-governmental organization, government and other experts in COVID-19...
Background
In low- and middle-income countries, pregnant women and newborns are more vulnerable to adverse outcomes from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, in Venezuela, there are no integrated data in a national surveillance system to identify the clinical-epidemiological characteristics and maternal-foetal outcomes of pregnant women ho...
Chagas Disease (CD), a chronic infection caused by the Trypanosoma cruzi parasite, is a Neglected Tropical Disease endemic to Latin America. With a re-emergence in Venezuela during the past two decades, the spread of CD has proved susceptible to, and inhibitable by a digital, real-time surveillance system effectuated by Citizen Scientists in commun...
Still without ceasing the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, a new viral threat has now emerged outside its endemic niche in Africa affecting multiple countries and continents. After its appearance in May 2022, a multi-country outbreak of monkeypox disease (MPX) has triggered significant concerns due to its rapid spread and potential for...
Hypertensive syndromes of pregnancy are a leading cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality worldwide.Their etiology is complex, multifactorial and not yet fully understood; however, there is recent evidence that the symptoms are attributable to an excessive inflammatory response causing widespread endothelial damage. During the last...
El impacto de la enfermedad por coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19, por sus siglas en inglés) en el mundo no tiene precedentes, afectando particularmente a los países de ingreso bajo y mediano bajo con sistemas de salud debilitados, inestabilidad económica y política, crisis humanitarias y profundas desigualdades sociales [1-3]. Hasta el 31 de marzo de 202...
Abstract Background We have here assessed the impact of demographic, clinical, and treatment compliance characteristics on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of Venezuelan patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We have used a disease-specific questionnaire, the Lupus Quality of Life (LupusQoL), validated in our patient population, to...
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic has particularly affected countries with weakened health services in Latin America, where proper patient management could be a critical step to address the epidemic. In this study, we aimed to characterize and identify which epidemiological, clinical and paraclinical risk factors defined COVID‐19 inf...
Numerous reports of neuropsychiatric symptoms highlighted the pathologic potential of SARS‐CoV‐2 and its relationship with the onset and/or exacerbation of mental illness. However, COVID‐19 treatments, themselves, must be considered as potential catalysts for new onset neuropsychiatric symptoms in COVID‐19 patients. To date immediate and long‐term...
Background
Amoebiasis is a parasitic disease caused by Entamoeba histolytica , which affects people living in low- and middle-income countries and has intestinal and extraintestinal manifestations. To date, knowledge on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) coinfection with enteric parasites is limited, and E. histolytica coinfection has not been pre...
Dear Editor:
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is likely to be deeper in resource-limited settings, including Venezuela, where its effects are compounded by the country’s complex humanitarian crisis, inadequately resourced health systems, and concurrent HIV epidemics [1]. There is growing concern that COVID-19 will lead to the disruptions for HIV...
We have read the recent article by Nussbaumer-Streit et al. [ [1] ] about mapping the use of resources during the production of systematic reviews (SRs) and why some steps of its production consume many resources. It is gratifying that expert methodologists are interested in identifying these knowledge gaps and helping to improve the efficiency of...
Background
The public health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has motivated a rapid search for potential therapeutics, with some key successes. However, the potential impact of different treatments, and consequently research and procurement priorities, have not been clear.
Methods
Using a mathematical model of SARS-CoV-2 transmission, COVID-19 dise...
Background
Venezuela accounted for 55% of the cases and 73% of the malaria deaths in the Americas in 2019. Bolivar state, in the southeast, contributes > 60% of the country's Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum cases every year. This study describes the clinical–epidemiological characteristics of clinical malaria patients in this high-transm...
Background: The deterioration of Venezuela's health system in recent years undoubtedly contributes to an increased impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Understanding healthcare workers' (HCWs) knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAPs) toward COVID-19 in the early stages of the pandemic could inform their medical training and improve their preparedness...
Testing and isolation have been crucial for controlling the COVID-19 pandemic. Venezuela has one of the weakest testing infrastructures in Latin America and the low number of reported cases in the country has been attributed to substantial underreporting. However, the Venezuelan epidemic seems to have lagged behind other countries in the region, wi...
Background
We have here assessed the impact of demographic, clinical, and treatment compliance characteristics on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of Venezuelan patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We have used a disease-specific questionnaire, the Lupus Quality of Life (LupusQoL), validated in our patient population, to measure...
Background
The unprecedented public health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has motivated a rapid search for potential therapeutics, with some key successes. However, the potential impact of different treatments, and consequently research and procurement priorities, have not been clear.
Methods and Findings
We develop a mathematical model of SARS-Co...
Introduction: Knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) studies related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) allow the identification of erroneous concepts and inadequate practices about this disease. This baseline information is essential to design effective strategies and improve adherence to prevention measures.
Objective: Identify the KAP re...
Introduction: The studies on knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding COVID-19 help to identify erroneous concepts and inadequate practices related to the
disease. This baseline information is essential to design effective strategies and improve adherence to prevention measures.
Objective: To identify the COVID-19-related KAP in Venezuel...
Background:
Pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to malaria infections, increasing the risk of maternal-fetal complications, mainly in high-endemicity areas. However, few studies of malaria in pregnancy (MiP) have been carried out in Latin America, a region with low endemicity and transmission of both, Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vi...
Background
Malaria remains a significant public health problem worldwide. Simultaneous infections with other pathogens complicate its diagnosis and can also change the clinical course of the disease. The similarities in the clinical presentation of malaria and other infections and the superimposed endemicity result in underdiagnosis of coinfections...
Background
Pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to malaria infections, increasing the risk of maternal-foetal complications, mainly in areas of high endemicity. However, few studies of malaria in pregnancy (MiP) have been carried out in Latin America, a region with low endemicity and transmission of both, Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax. D...
Estimados señores: Hemos leído con interés la reciente publicación de Gregorio-Chaviano, et al. (1), en la que analizan la producción científica sobre la COVID-19 en Latinoamérica, y quisiéramos hacer algunas consideraciones que nos parecen importantes. En primer lugar, pese a que los autores realizaron un interesante estudio bibliométrico de los d...
Objetivo: Describir y analizar la actividad científica sobre la COVID-19 en Latinoamérica.
Materiales y Métodos: Mediante una revisión sistemática de la literatura en PubMed, LILACS y los repositorios preimpresos BioRxiv y medRxiv, se recuperaron todos los documentos disponibles sobre la COVID-19 en Latinoamérica desde el primero de enero hasta el...
Background:
Malaria incidence has reached staggering numbers in Venezuela. Commonly, Bolívar State accounted for approximately 70% of the country cases every year. Most cases cluster in the Sifontes municipality, a region characterized by an extractive economy, including gold mining. An increase in migration to Sifontes, driven by gold mining, fue...
Immunization of human volunteers with radiation-attenuated sporozoites (RAS) of Plasmodium falciparum has shown to be highly protective against infectious challenge with live sporozoites. Due to the lack of P.vivax in vitro cultures, development of a vaccine based on RAS to this species has lagged behind. A phase 1/2, controlled clinical trial was...
Background: Historically, immunization with Plasmodium falciparum irradiated sporozoites has induced high protection (>90%) in controlled human studies, but only one patient has been subjected to this procedure with P. vivax.
Objective:
A clinical trial of immunization with P. vivax irradiated sporozoites is currently ongoing with the goal of asse...
Background:
Significant progress has been recently achieved in the development of Plasmodium vivax challenge infections in humans, which are essential for vaccine and drug testing. With the goal of accelerating clinical development of malaria vaccines, the outcome of infections experimentally induced in naïve and semi-immune volunteers by infected...
Statins are pharmacological inhibitors of the activity of 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGCR), an enzyme responsible for the synthesis of cholesterol. Some recent experimental studies have shown that besides their effects on the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases, statins may also have beneficial anti-inflamma...