Abstract Hansen’s disease or leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae, mainly affecting the skin and peripheral nerves. In recent years, a better control of the disease has been achieved globally. However, in Chile the incidence of leprosy has continued to increase. We present a case of a 40-year-old patient Haitian nationality with lesions and histopathology compatible with tuberculoid leprosy. We discuss the importance of education on less prevalent diseases in Chile, in conjunction with a review of the pathophysiology, clinic, and classification of Hansen’s disease.

Resumen La enfermedad de Hansen o lepra es una enfermedad infecciosa crónica causada por Mycobacterium leprae, y que afecta principalmente la piel y nervios periféricos. En los últimos años, se ha logrado un mejor control de la enfermedad en forma global. Sin embargo, en Chile la incidencia de la lepra ha ido en aumento. Presentamos el caso clínico de un paciente de 40 años, haitiano, con lesiones e histopatología compatibles con una lepra tuberculoide. Se discute la importancia en la educación sobre enfermedades menos prevalentes en Chile y se hace una revisión sobre la fisiopatología, clínica y clasificación de la enfermedad de Hansen.

Abstract There are several studies on the benefits of using TNFα antagonists in the treatment of psoriasis, but few studies addressing the interaction of these drugs with chronic infections. We report the case of a 52-year-old patient diagnosed with psoriasis refractory to traditional systemic agents, who was treated with biologic therapies. After one year of treatment with biologic agents, the patient was diagnosed with Chagas Disease.

La Insuficiencia Renal Aguda (IRA) es una complicación inusual de la picadura por hormigas secundaria a un daño tóxico isquémico con Necrosis Tubular Aguda. Los 2 pacientes presentados fueron transferidos del trópico Cochabambino al Hospital Clínico Viedma, experimentaron una reacción alérgica, hemólisis intravascular, rabdomiólisis e IRA posterior a un masivo ataque de las hormigas que habitan en el tronco del "Palo Santo" al que fueron atados por varias horas. Se dispone de pocos reportes acerca del compromiso renal en estos casos, así como de los mecanismos patogénicos implicados. Gracias al apoyo dialítico oportuno los pacientes mejoraron su condición clínica recuperando ambos la función renal en el lapso de 2 semanas de iniciada la hemodiálisis.

Acute Renal Insufficiency (ARI) is an unusual complication caused by the puncture of ants that falls into a secondary ischemic toxic damage with an Acute Tubular Necrosis. The two patients presented were transferred from the tropic of Cochabamba state to the Viedma Hospital, they have experienced an allergic reaction, intravascular hemolysis, rhabdomyolysis and ARI caused by the massive attack of ants that inhabit the trunk of the "Palo Santo" where they were tied by several hours. Few reports are known about the affectedness of the kidney organ, as well as the implied pathogenic mechanisms. The patients improved their clinical condition thanks to the opportune support; both recovered the kidney function after 2 weeks from the initiated hemodialysis.