brucella-symptoms

[Jennifer Fuhrman]

Hi, my name is Jennifer.  I have a co-worker who has suffered from 
brucellosis and her insurance company refuses to believe that her present 
discomforts are due to this illness.  I wonder if anyone out there knows 
about symptoms that occur when brucella goes untreated for a short period 
of time. 
     In April of 1988, she began experiencing gastic distress, swollen 
joints, chills, fever, lethargy, decreased blood pressure, and elevated 
liver enzymes.  She was admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of Non 
A-Non B hepatitis and was treated.
     October of 1988, a febrile agglutinin serum blood test was performed 
and she demonstrated an abnormally elevated titer to brucella.  At this 
time, many fellow employees in my department (Microbiology) also were 
experiencing milder symptoms along with elevated titers.  Her diagnosis 
was then changed to Brucellosis which was further evidenced by obtaining 
positive results on the liver biopsy, bone marrow, and blood cultures.  
The infection had progressed to such an extent that the intial treatment 
failed and a secondary course of treatment had to begin.  The source of 
the infection was later determined to be an accidental exposure to 
brucella.
     During this lengthy illness, she experienced tremors, inability to 
walk, sit, stand, or sleep for any length of time.  In late 1989, she was 
referred to a psychiatrist for severe depression and was unable to work.  
Her depression further progressed to a point where the only therapy given 
was shock treaments.  She returned to work on a part-time basis and has 
progressed to her present level. ]
     She still is not in perfect health.  She suffers from Chronic 
Fatigue Syndrome, Polymyalgia Rheumatica, and constant pain.  She also 
has trouble sleeping due to decreased serotonin levels.  Medical 
literature in the United States only shows several of her symptoms.  I 
wonder if anyone knows about this illness and can tell me more about it...
Thank You!

Jen