Long COVID: Alice Evans, Brucellosis, and Reflections on Infectious Causes of Chronic Disease

Abstract

Despite more than a century of research on the link between infection and chronic diseases, we again find ourselves flummoxed by a new pathogen that causes long-term impairment. Patients have reported being ignored or minimized, resources are lacking for diagnosis and treatment, and frustrated individuals are turning outside of the scientific profession for answers. The experience mirrors that of American Society for Microbiology past president Alice C. Evans. Accidentally infected with Brucella melitensis during her laboratory research, Evans was chronically ill for more than 20 years, during which time friends, colleagues, and physicians cast doubt on her illness. As a result, she argued passionately for improved diagnostics and for those who reported chronic infection to be taken seriously rather than presumed to be "malingering" or using their illness for financial benefit. Lessons from Evans' experience are useful as we work toward understanding long COVID and patients suffering from the condition.

Keywords: Brucella; chronic disease; diagnostics; long COVID; stigma.