Myiasis is the infestation of humans with dipterous larvae. Traditionally, myiasis was thought to affect individuals living in tropical regions, however, several cases in temperate zones have been reported. We encountered two patients with histories of malignancies that presented with complaints of myiasis, in Chicago, in the spring and summer of 2016. The first patient, a 54-year-old female with a history of breast cancer, presented with complaints of maggots infesting her postsurgical chest wounds. She was diagnosed with sepsis, cellulitis, and wound myiasis. The second patient, a 63-year-old female with a history of recurrent ovarian cancer, presented with complaints of passing maggots vaginally and seeing worms mixed with her stools. She was diagnosed with internal urogenital myiasis. The first lesson that we learned from these cases is that myiasis can occur in individuals living in any part of the world. Second of all, for patients with accidental myiasis, a sample of the larvae should be sent for analysis to help guide the treatment. Third of all, myiasis has been associated with new or recurrent malignancies, and therefore a biopsy of the affected tissue should be sent for analysis. Finally, we learned that myiasis can serve as a form of tissue debridement; this coinciding benefit should not prevent the treatment of accidental myiasis.

We implemented social marketing of pre-packaged treatment for men with urethral discharge (Clear Seven) in Uganda, and studied its feasibility, acceptability and effectiveness as a possible means to treat STDs and thereby prevent HIV. Clear Seven was distributed at private health care outlets in three rural districts and two divisions of the capital. Comparisons were made with a pre-intervention period in the same sites plus one additional rural district. There were almost universally positive attitudes to Clear Seven. Cure rate (84% versus 47%), treatment compliance (93% versus 87%), and condom use during treatment (36% versus 18%) were significantly higher among Clear Seven users (n=422) than controls (n=405). Partner referral was similar but fewer Clear Seven partners were symptomatic when seeking treatment. Distribution of socially marketed pre-packaged treatment for male urethritis should be expanded in sub-Saharan Africa. Consideration should be given to developing similar kits for women.

Hyponatremia is a common electrolyte abnormality, however, encountering a patient with serum sodium level below 100 mEq/L and minimal symptoms is unusual. We present the case of an 86-year-old woman who was found to have serum sodium levels of 99 mEq/L. Her only complaint was difficulty in walking. On admission, and throughout her hospital stay, she did not have altered mental status, focal neurological deficits, or adverse outcomes. Her history, blood work, and urine studies pointed towards a diagnosis of thiazide-associated hyponatremia. Thiazide-associated hyponatremia can occur at any time during the course of thiazide administration. The first step that should be taken to manage this condition is discontinuing the medication. The lesson learned from this case is that the degree of hyponatremia does not always correlate with the severity of symptoms.

Paraneoplastic neurologic syndromes are a group of immune-mediated, cancer-associated disorders affecting the nervous system. While these syndromes are not understood fully, they are reportedly caused by an immune response against common antigens expressed by the cancer and nervous system. We describe the course of a patient who suffered paraneoplastic chorea before being diagnosed with breast cancer. A 70-year-old female presented with complaints of “shaking” movements of her head. History, physical exam findings, and preliminary workup ruled out the hereditary, metabolic, and infectious causes of chorea while brain computed tomography (CT) ruled out chorea due to a basal ganglia lesion. A paraneoplastic antibody panel identified N-type and P/Q-type voltage-gated (V-G) calcium channel binding antibodies. Subsequent age-appropriate cancer screening, which included a colonoscopy and screening mammograms, identified breast cancer. The patient had bilateral total mastectomies. Histopathology confirmed mixed invasive ductal and lobular carcinoma that was estrogen receptor positive, progesterone receptor positive, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 negative. In addition to mastectomies, the patient received adjuvant anastrozole. The appearance of choreiform movements before the diagnosis of breast cancer and the presence of paraneoplastic antibodies indicated that the chorea was most likely paraneoplastic in nature. Our patient continues to have choreiform movements despite undergoing bilateral mastectomies and receiving anastrozole, prednisone, and rituximab. We suspect the mastectomies and immune modulating therapies have not had an effect on her chorea because her P/Q and N-type V-G calcium channel binding antibodies may be intracellular. This case of paraneoplastic chorea associated with breast cancer is unusual. To the best of our knowledge, only one other case of paraneoplastic chorea associated with breast cancer has been reported in the English literature.

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