Tipos de carbapenemasas expresadas en Klebsiella spp, y Pseudomonas aeruginosa resistente a carbapenémicos en seis hospitales de alta complejidad de la Ciudad de Bogotá - Colombia / Carbapenemases produced in Klebsiella spp, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in six hospitals in Bogotá - Colombia

INTRODUCCIÓN: En las últimas décadas, se ha incrementado la prevalencia de infecciones por bacilos gramnegativos resistentes a carbapenémicos. OBJETIVO: Determinar los tipos y la frecuencia de las distintas carbapenemasas en aislados de Klebsiella spp. y Pseudomonas aeruginosa, en seis hospitales de alta complejidad de Bogotá-Colombia. MÉTODOS: Estudio observacional descriptivo en seis hospitales de la ciudad de Bogotá, en el período de enero de 2017 a agosto de 2018. Se realizaron RPC para genes de KPC, GES, VIM, NDM, IMP y OXA-48 en cepas de Klebsiella spp y P aeruginosa resistentes a carbapenémicos. RESULTADOS: 52 aislados de P aeruginosa amplificaron para una carbapenemasa, de los cuales 39 (75%) fueron positivos para KPC, 11 (21%) para VIM y 2 co-producciones de KPC y VIM. En cuanto a Klebsiella spp., 165 cepas amplificaron al menos para una carbapenemasa, 98% expresaron KPC y 4 aislados tuvieron co-producciones de metalo-beta-lactamasas y KPC. DISCUSIÓN: Este estudio aporta información valiosa, como el incremento de producción de KPC en P. aeruginosa y la co-producción de KPC y metalo-beta-lactamasas, locual tiene una implicancia tanto en la selección del tratamiento, las medidas de aislamiento de contacto y el pronóstico de los pacientes.

BACKGROUND: In the last decades, the prevalence of infections by carbapenem resistant gram-negative bacilli has been increased. OBJECTIVE: To determine types and frequency of the different carbapenemases in Klebsiella spp. and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, in six hospitals in Bogotá-Colombia. METHODS: Descriptive and observational study, in six hospitals in the city of Bogotá, in the period ftom January 2017 to August 2018. PCR were performed for KPC, GES, VIM, NDM, IMP and OXA-48 genes, in carbapenem resistant Klebsiella spp. and P aeruginosa. RESULTS: 52 P aeruginosa isolates amplified a carbapenemase gene, of which 39 (75%) were positive for KPC, 11 (21%) for VIM and two co-productions of KPC and VIM. Regarding Klebsiella spp. 165 strains amplified at least one carbapenemase gene, 98% expressed KPC and four isolates had co-productions of metallo-P-lactamases and KPC. DISCUSSION: This study provides valuable information, such as the increased production of KPC in P. aeruginosa información valiosa, como el incremento de producción de KPC en P. aeruginosa and the co-production of KPC plus metallobetalactamases, which has an implication both in treatment selection, isolation precautions and patient prognosisy.

[Carbapenemases produced in Klebsiella spp., and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in six hospitals in Bogotá - Colombia]. / Tipos de carbapenemasas expresadas en Klebsiella spp., y Pseudomonas aeruginosa resistente a carbapenémicos en seis hospitales de alta complejidad de la Ciudad de Bogotá - Colombia.

BACKGROUND: In the last decades, the prevalence of infections by carbapenem resistant gram-negative bacilli has been increased. OBJECTIVE: To determine types and frequency of the different carbapenemases in Klebsiella spp. and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, in six hospitals in Bogotá-Colombia. METHODS: Descriptive and observational study, in six hospitals in the city of Bogotá, in the period ftom January 2017 to August 2018. PCR were performed for KPC, GES, VIM, NDM, IMP and OXA-48 genes, in carbapenem resistant Klebsiella spp. and P aeruginosa. RESULTS: 52 P aeruginosa isolates amplified a carbapenemase gene, of which 39 (75%) were positive for KPC, 11 (21%) for VIM and two co-productions of KPC and VIM. Regarding Klebsiella spp. 165 strains amplified at least one carbapenemase gene, 98% expressed KPC and four isolates had co-productions of metallo-P-lactamases and KPC. DISCUSSION: This study provides valuable information, such as the increased production of KPC in P. aeruginosa información valiosa, como el incremento de producción de KPC en P. aeruginosa and the co-production of KPC plus metallobetalactamases, which has an implication both in treatment selection, isolation precautions and patient prognosisy.

6th vital sign app: Testing validity and reliability for measuring gait speed.

BACKGROUND: Gait speed tests are useful predictors of different health outcomes in people. These tests can be administered by the convenience of one's smartphone. RESEARCH QUESTION: Is the 6th Vital Sign app valid and reliable for measuring gait speed? METHODS: The study used a prospective test-retest design. Fifteen college subjects were asked to walk at their normal pace for 2 min. Each subject performed two trials. Speed was recorded by the 6th Vital Sign app, Brower timing gates, and by hand-measurement of distance walked divided by the 2 min. Criterion validity was assessed by paired t-tests, Cohen's D effect sizes, and Pearson correlation tests. Inter-trial reliability within each device was assessed with Pearson correlation tests. RESULTS: Speed measured by the app was significantly lower than speed measured by gates (p = 0.004) and by hand-measurement (p = 0.009). The difference between gates and hand-measurement was not significant (p = 0.684). The speed measured by gates and hand-measurement were very highly correlated (r = 0.974), but speed measured by app was only moderately correlated with gates (r = 0.370) and hand-measurement (r = 0.365). The inter-trial reliability was fairly high with correlations r = 0.916, 0.944, and 0.941 when speed was measured by the app, gates, and hand-measurement, respectively. SIGNIFICANCE: The app tended to underestimate speed when compared to gate and hand-measurements. Therefore, we conclude that the 6th Vital Sign app is not valid for use for clinical diagnosis or prognosis.

Optimization of the sensitivity/doses relationship for a bench-top EDXRF system used for in vivo quantification of gold nanoparticles.

The present work is devoted to optimizing the sensitivity-doses relationship of a bench-top EDXRF system, with the aim of achieving a detection limit of 0.010mg/ml of gold nanoparticles in tumor tissue (clinical values expected), for doses below 10mGy (value fixed for in vivo application). Tumor phantoms of 0.3cm3 made of a suspension of gold nanoparticles (15nm AurovistTM, Nanoprobes Inc.) were studied at depths of 0-4mm in a tissue equivalent cylindrical phantom. The optimization process was implemented configuring several tube voltages and aluminum filters, to obtain non-symmetrical narrow spectra with fixed FWHM of 5keV and centered among the 11.2-20.3keV. The used statistical figure of merit was the obtained sensitivity (with each spectrum at each depth) weighted by the delivered surface doses. The detection limit of the system was determined measuring several gold nanoparticles concentrations ranging from 0.0010 to 5.0mg/ml and a blank sample into tumor phantoms, considering a statistical fluctuation within 95% of confidence. The results show the possibility of obtaining a detection limit for gold nanoparticles concentrations around 0.010mg/ml for surface tumor phantoms requiring doses around 2mGy.

Estudio epidemiológico de la pediculosis en escuelas básicas del extremo norte de Chile / Epidemiological study of pediculosis in elementary schools of Arica, northern Chile

Introducción: La Pediculosis es una ectoparasitosis que ha recibido poca atención en el norte de Chile, a pesar de que es recurrente en la población infantil escolar. Nuestro objetivo fue determinar la prevalencia de Pediculus humanus capitis, en la población escolar básica de la Provincia de Arica. Pacientes y Método: Se estudió un grupo de 665 alumnos de enseñanza básica del sistema municipalizado, de la Provincia de Arica, durante agosto a noviembre de 2010. Se seleccionaron 467 niños que cumplían con los criterios de inclusión. Previo consentimiento informado de los alumnos y apoderados, el diagnóstico se llevó a cabo a través de la revisión a ojo descubierto de la cabeza de los escolares participantes, en dependencias de cada establecimiento, registrando la presencia de Pediculus humanus capitis, grado de infestación y estadio del ectoparásito. Resultados: De la población analizada, el 40,3 por ciento (188/467) presentó Pediculosis, afectando a las seis escuelas estudiadas. Las mujeres presentaron Pediculosis en un 55,2 por ciento (138/250) y los hombres un 23 por ciento (50/217). Conclusión: La población escolar de la Provincia de Arica está significativamente afectada por Pediculosis y su prevalencia es similar a otras regiones del país.

Pediculosis is an ectoparasitosis infestation that has not received much attention in northern Chile despite it is a common reoccurring condition among school-age children. The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of Pediculus humanus capitis infestation in elementary schools of Arica. Patients and Method: A group of 665 elementary school students from the Province of Arica were screened between August and November 2010; 467 children who met the inclusion criteria were selected. After parents and students signed an informed consent, the diagnosis was carried out through examination of the head with naked eye in each participating school, recording the presence of Pediculus humanus capitis, infestation level and parasite stage. Results: 40.3 percent (188) of the children presented Pediculosis; the six schools studied were affected. Pediculosis infestation in girls reached 55.2 percent (138/250) and 23 percent (50/217) in boys. Conclusion: The school population of Arica is significantly affected by Pediculosis and its prevalence is similar to other regions.

Aprendizaje basado en problemas (ABP) como estrategia para adquisición de competencias genéricas: estudiantes de nutrición y dietética, Universidad de La Frontera / Problem-based learning as a strategy for acquisition of generic skills: students of nutrition and dietetics, Universidad de La Frontera

The study of generic skills in the training of health professionals has become an instrument of increasing value to the institutions of higher education and health centers. In order to know in detail the opinions of students of the career of nutrition and dietetics of the Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco-Chile related to the generic competences acquired during their training process, 5th year students took part in two focus groups, after signing an informed consent. The analysis of data followed a scheme of progressive reduction of them, validating by triangulation of researchers. The results represent the consistency that must exist between study and educational plan didactics in the development of the generic competences, so necessary nowadays for the work insertion of health professionals.

El estudio de competencias genéricas en la formación de profesionales de la salud se ha convertido en un instrumento de valor creciente para las instituciones de educación superior y centros asistenciales. Con el objetivo de conocer en detalle las opiniones del alumnado de la Carrera de Nutrición y Dietética, de la Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco-Chile relacionadas con las competencias genéricas adquiridas durante su proceso de formación, se realizó una investigación cualitativa, mediante estudio de caso. Participaron estudiantes de 5° año en dos grupos focales, previa firma de consentimiento informado. El análisis de datos siguió un esquema de reducción progresiva de ellos, validándose por triangulación de investigadores. Los resultados representan la congruencia que debe existir entre el plan de estudio y didáctica educativa en el desarrollo de competencias genéricas, tan necesarias en el mundo actual para la inserción laboral de profesionales de la salud.

Morphine stimulates cancer progression and mast cell activation and impairs survival in transgenic mice with breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Morphine stimulates angiogenesis and cancer progression in mice. We investigated whether morphine influences tumour onset, development, and animal model survival, and whether µ-opioid receptor (MOR), lymphangiogenesis, mast cell activation, and substance P (SP) are associated with the tumour-promoting effects of morphine. METHODS: Transgenic mice with a rat C3(1) simian virus 40 large tumour antigen fusion gene which demonstrate the developmental spectrum of human infiltrating ductal breast carcinoma were used. Mice were treated at different ages with clinically relevant doses of morphine or phosphate-buffered saline to determine the effect on tumour development and progression, and on mouse survival. Tumours were analysed for MOR, angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis, SP, and mast cell activation by immunofluorescent- or laser scanning confocal-microscopy. Cytokine and SP levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Morphine did not influence tumour development when given before the onset of tumour appearance, but significantly promoted progression of established tumours, and reduced survival. MOR-immunoreactivity (ir) was observed in larger but not in smaller tumours. Morphine treatment resulted in increased tumour angiogenesis, peri-tumoural lymphangiogenesis, mast cell activation, and higher levels of cytokines and SP in tumours. SP-ir co-localized with mast cells and elsewhere in the tumours. CONCLUSIONS: Morphine does not affect the onset of tumour development, but it promotes growth of existing tumours, and reduces overall survival in mice. MOR may be associated with morphine-induced cancer progression, resulting in shorter survival. Mast cell activation by morphine may contribute to increased cytokine and SP levels, leading to cancer progression and refractory pain.

T cell suppression in vitro during Toxoplasma gondii infection is the result of IL-2 competition between Tregs and T cells leading to death of proliferating T cells.

A reduced proliferation to T cell mitogens is observed in vitro in murine cells isolated during the acute phase of Toxoplasma gondii infection. Foxp3(+) regulatory T cells (Tregs) mediate this suppression, which is interleukin (IL)-2 dependent. In this work, we analysed the mechanism of this Treg-mediated suppression. We found that removal of antigen-presenting cells (APC) from spleen cells from infected mice did not modify suppression but further elimination of Tregs led to a restored proliferation, demonstrating that Tregs mediate suppression in the absence of APC. Production of IL-2 by T cells from infected animals was abolished but partially restored when Tregs were removed. However, IL-2 levels and T cell proliferation were restored when Tregs and T cells were separated by transwells, indicating that Tregs require close proximity with T cells to induce suppression. Tregs from infected mice were able to reduce proliferation of CTLL-2 cells in the classical IL-2 bioassay, strongly suggesting that Tregs compete with T cells for IL-2. We found that T cells from infected mice died after a few rounds of division in vitro, but addition of recombinant IL-2 or removal of Tregs abolished this effect. Our results showed that suppression of T cell proliferation during acute Toxoplasma gondii infection is the result of death of proliferating T cells by Treg-mediated IL-2 competition. Thus, immunosuppression is due to death of proliferating T cells as a consequence of low IL-2 availability.

[Epidemiological study of Pediculosis in elementary schools of Arica, northern Chile]. / Estudio epidemiológico de la Pediculosis en escuelas básicas del extremo norte de Chile.

UNLABELLED: Pediculosis is an ectoparasitosis infestation that has not received much attention in northern Chile despite it is a common reoccurring condition among school-age children. The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of Pediculus humanus capitis infestation in elementary schools of Arica. PATIENTS AND METHOD: A group of 665 elementary school students from the Province of Arica were screened between August and November 2010; 467 children who met the inclusion criteria were selected. After parents and students signed an informed consent, the diagnosis was carried out through examination of the head with naked eye in each participating school, recording the presence of Pediculus humanus capitis, infestation level and parasite stage. RESULTS: 40.3% (188) of the children presented Pediculosis; the six schools studied were affected. Pediculosis infestation in girls reached 55.2% (138/250) and 23% (50/217) in boys. CONCLUSION: The school population of Arica is significantly affected by Pediculosis and its prevalence is similar to other regions.

Hidrosadenitis supurativa: tratamiento quirúrgico en etapa avanzada / Hidradenitis suppurativa: surgical treatment in advanced stage

La hidrosadenitis supurativa (HS) es una patología inflamatoria crónica que compromete principalmente las zonas axilar, inguinal, perineal y submamaria. Se caracteriza por nódulos inflamatorios recurrentes y abscesos que pueden supurar y formar tractos sinusales y cicatrices. Esto provoca un gran compromiso en la calidad de vida de los pacientes que la padecen. Existen diversas opciones terapéuticas según la severidad del cuadro. En los estadíos avanzados, la cirugía es el tratamiento de elección, logrando una menor tasa de recidiva y una notable mejoría en la calidad de vida de los pacientes. Presentamos dos casos de HS de resolución quirúrgica.

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that affects most frequently the axillary, groin, perineal, and inframammary regions. It is characterized by recurrent inflamed nodules and abscesses that can drain and form sinus tracts and scars. Patients with HS has an important decrease in the quality of life. There are numerous therapeutic options depending on the severity. In advanced stages, surgery is the preferred treatment, achieving a lower rate of recurrence and a significant improvement in the quality of life. We present two cases of HS with surgical resolution.

Clasificación y significado clínico de las diferentes formulaciones de las cerámicas para restauraciones dentales / Classification and clinical significance of different formulations of ceramics for dental restorations

Durante los últimos 40 años las cerámicas dentales han presentado significativos avances tecnológicos, desde la porcelana feldespática a las cerámicas basadas en zirconio, mejorando sus propiedades mecánicas aumentando aproximadamente en casi 10 veces la resistencia a la flexión y a la fractura. Característica importante, común a todos los sistemas cerámicos es la proporción de la fase vítrea y cristalina y el grado de porosidad dado que ambas afectan las propiedades ópticas y mecánicas de la restauración. Para la mejor comprensión de la diversidad de cerámicas desarrolladas durante los últimos años se proponen dos clasificaciones, una basada en su composición, que permite relacionar el material con sus propiedades físicas y otra basada en el método de fabricación que define las opciones de manejo y que adicionalmente, permite conocer con mayor facilidad las ventajas y limitaciones de las cerámicas dentales además de ayudar a definir la selección del material más indicado para cada requerimiento clínico.

During the last 40 years, dental ceramics had showed significant technological advances, from feldsphatics porcelain to ceramics based on zirconio, improving mechanicals properties, reaching close to 10 foils of flexural and fracture strength. Important characteristics, common to all ceramic systems, are glass phase and crystalline phase proportion, and the amount of porosity, because both affect the mechanicals and optical properties of the final restorations. For better understanding of the wide ceramics options, we propose two ceramics classifications based on composition, which associate the material with their physical properties and the fabrication method, which define the laboratory options and give information related to ceramics advantages and limitations, those information help to make the ceramic selection for each especial clinical requirement.

Impact system for ultrafast synchrotron experiments.

The impact system for ultrafast synchrotron experiments, or IMPULSE, is a 12.6-mm bore light-gas gun (<1 km/s projectile velocity) designed specifically for performing dynamic compression experiments using the advanced imaging and X-ray diffraction methods available at synchrotron sources. The gun system, capable of reaching projectile velocities up to 1 km/s, was designed to be portable for quick insertion/removal in the experimental hutch at Sector 32 ID-B of the Advanced Photon Source (Argonne, IL) while allowing the target chamber to rotate for sample alignment with the beam. A key challenge in using the gun system to acquire dynamic data on the nanosecond time scale was synchronization (or bracketing) of the impact event with the incident X-ray pulses (80 ps width). A description of the basic gun system used in previous work is provided along with details of an improved launch initiation system designed to significantly reduce the total system time from launch initiation to impact. Experiments were performed to directly measure the gun system time and to determine the gun performance curve for projectile velocities ranging from 0.3 to 0.9 km/s. All results show an average system time of 21.6 ± 4.5 ms, making it possible to better synchronize the gun system and detectors to the X-ray beam.

Luis Prunés Risetti: un gran maestro de la dermatología chilena: su biografía y archivo fotográfico / Luis Prunés Risetti: a great master of Chilean dermatology: his biography and photo archive

El doctor Luis Prunés fue uno de los grandes maestros de la dermatología chilena. Se formó como dermatólogo en el hospital Saint-Louis en París. En la década 1920 ingresó al Hospital San Luis de Santiago y en 1938 asumió como profesor titular de la cátedra “Clínica Universitaria de Piel y Sífilis” del Hospital San Vicente de Paul. En 1938 fue el primer presidente de la Sociedad Chilena de Dermato-sifilología. Fue un gran investigador de patologías cutáneas; estudió principalmente la lepra y las lesiones cutáneas asociadas a minerales. Es recordado por preconizar la importancia de la biopsia cutánea. Jubiló en 1954 dejándonos un importante legado dermatológico. El Dr. Prunés recopiló sus mejores casos en más de 20archivos fotográficos, los cuales se encuentran en la biblioteca del Departamento de Dermatología del Hospital Clínico de la Universidad de Chile. El objetivo de este trabajo es presentar parte de su archivo fotográfico, mostrando imágenes impresionantes de tumores cutáneos y lesiones cutáneas inducidas por arsénico.

Dr. Luis Prunés is one of the masters of the Chilean dermatology. He was trained as dermatologist at the Saint-Louis hospital in Paris. Since 1920 he worked as dermatologist at the San Luis Hospital in Santiago and in 1938 he took over as Professor and Chairman of the “University Clinic of Skin and Syphilis” at San Vicente de Paul Hospital. In 1938, he was the first president of the Chilean Society of Dermatology. He studied leprosy and skin lesions associated with minerals. He is also remembered for advocating the importance of skin biopsy. He retired in 1954, leaving an important legacy. Dr. Prunés compiled his best clinical cases in more than 20 photographic archives, which are located at the Library of the Dermatology Department in the University of Chile Clinical Hospital. The purpose of this paper is to present part of his photographic archive, showing stunning images of large cutaneous tumors and arsenic-induced skin lesions.

Rejuvenecimiento no ablativo / Non ablative rejuvenation

La estética facial y el rejuvenecimiento se han desarrollado rápidamente debido a cambios en los productos, procedimientos y datos demográficos de los pacientes. Los clínicos pueden beneficiarse guiando en el uso de los productos, adaptando tratamientos a pacientes individuales, tratando múltiples áreas faciales, usando las combinaciones de productos para optimizar resultados. Cuando estas técnicas son combinadas, los resultados son superiores al empleo de terapias individuales. Las terapias posibles de combinar son: toxina botulínica, agentes de rellenos, peelings químicos, luz pulsada intensa láser ablativo y no ablativo. Recientemente, una variedad de sistemas de láser está disponible, que permiten un remodelamiento dérmico selectivo sin la disrupción de la superficie epidérmica. Más recientemente, el expertisse de los médicos con los sensibilizantes tópicos y las fuentes luminosas empleadas en la terapia fotodinámica ha conducido a mayores usos, incluyendo su empleo para la mejoría de los signos visibles del fotoenvejecimiento.

Facial aesthetics and rejuvenation are evolving rapidly due to changes in products, procedures and patients demographics. Clinicians can benefit from ongoing guidance on products, tailoring treatments to individual patients, treating multiple facial areas, using combinations of products to optimize outcomes. When these techniques are combined, the results are superior to the use of individual therapies alone. The possible combination therapies are: botulium toxin, fillers agents, chemicals peels, intense pulsed light, nonablative and ablative lasers. A variety of laser systems have recently become available that allow for selective dermal remodeling without disruption of the epidermal surface. More recently, increasing physician expertise with the topical sensitizers and light sources employed in photodynamic therapy has led to expanded applications, including its use for improvement of the visible signs of photoaging.

Piel y climaterio / Skin and climacteric

El envejecimiento está asociado a una disminución de los niveles de estrógenos. Aunque sus efectos en la piel aún no están completamente aclarados, es conocido que la deficiencia estrogénica está asociada a varios cambios cutáneos. Además debido al incremento de la expectativa de vida, las mujeres pasarán más de un tercio de su vida en condición menopáusica. El climaterio sumado a los efectos del envejecimiento cronológico, la exposición solar, factores endógenos y a otros factores ambientales, parece ejercer dramáticas consecuencias sobre la piel. La piel puede verse afectada globalmente, en particular la epidermis, la dermis y el pelo. La deprivación estrogénica está asociada con xerosis, atrofia, formación de arrugas finas, bochornos, laxitud y mala cicatrización. La terapia hormonal en mujeres postmenopáusicas ha demostrado incrementar el contenido de colágeno, el grosor dérmico y la elasticidad de la piel. A la luz de los últimos antecedentes la relación riesgo - beneficio de la terapia de sustitución estrogénica prolongada debe ser evaluado cuidadosamente por los médicos y sus pacientes.

Aging is associated with declining levels of estrogen. Although the effects of estrogen on the skin are still not fully understood, it is known that, in women. Declining estrogen levels are associated with a variety of cutaneous changes. Due to an increased life expectancy, women can now expect to spend more than one-third of their lifetime after menopause. In addiction to the effects of chronological aging, sunlight exposure, and other environmental and endogenous factors, the climacteric appears to exert some dramatic consequences of the skin. The whole skin can be affected, in particular the epidermis, dermis and hair. The estrogen deprivation is associated with dryness, atrophy, fine wrinkling, hot flashes, laxity, and impairing wound healing. Hormonal therapy in post-menopausal women has been shown to increase collagen content, dermal thickness and elasticity. In light of recent data regarding long-term use of estrogen supplementation, the risk to benefit ratio of this therapy needs to be carefully evaluated by physicians and their patients.

Museo de cera: una forma de enseñanza de la sífilis en Chile a principios del siglo XX / Wax museum: a form of education of the syphilis in Chile at the beginning of century XX

At the beginning of the twentieth century, Dermatology’s teaching was more complex than today, heavily based on fine semiology. During the last centuries, the art of moulage preparation evolved from 2-dimensional images in black and white to 3-dimensional figures with color andrelief, realistic representations of diseased parts of the human body, essential in a morphological and descriptive discipline. The technique of wax figures in Dermatology began in the nineteenth century in France, at St. Louis Hospital. Subsequently, Olavide created a wax museum at San Juan de Dios Hospital in Spain. In Chile, wax moulages of syphilis and other sexually transmitted diseases were used for the teaching of Dermatology by the National Health Service. The moulages were carved by Mrs. Anita Lagarrigue and designed by Professor Dr Luis Prunés (Chair of Dermatology at Saint Vincent de Paul Hospital) in the 1940’s. Until today, we have found 15 wax moulages, partially preserved in wooden and glass boxes in the Dermatology Department at the Clinical Hospital of the University of Chile (former Saint Vincent de Paul Hospital). This wax figures collection represents a significant work of art and reflects a veryimportant part of the history of Chilean Dermatology.