Beth Sternlieb suffered from a mysterious illness that worsened dramatically over the course of nearly two decades. Initially manageable, the flu-like episodes began occurring more frequently and left her bedridden for five months with high fever, chills, and exhaustion. After undergoing an operation, the cause of her illness was identified and treated, ultimately curing her. The illness began with a headache and abdominal pain, followed by fatigue, muscle aches, diarrhea, and a spotty red rash on her abdomen. For years, doctors failed to reveal the reason behind her unidentified illness.
The illness recurred every six months, with tiny red dots appearing on her abdomen resembling hives, which doctors believed to be an allergic reaction. Blood tests indicated the presence of an autoimmune disorder that caused her body to attack itself. The episodes seemed to be triggered by periods of stress, both good and bad, leading Sternlieb to believe there might be a psychological component to her illness. Despite the debilitating nature of the illness, doctors were unable to identify a clear cause and treatment for her condition.
In 2005, as Sternlieb’s health continued to deteriorate, she sought out new specialists to uncover the underlying cause of her illness. A series of tests and consultations led to the discovery of an unknown strain of salmonella bacteria that had burrowed into one of her uterine fibroids. Salmonella is a common bacterial infection caused by contaminated food, but in Sternlieb’s case, it was traced back to a reptile carrier. Turtles, snakes, frogs, and lizards are known carriers of salmonella, posing a risk of infection if proper handwashing measures are not followed.
The bacteria had settled in one of Sternlieb’s uterine fibroids, triggering a reaction from her immune system and causing recurring hives. A surgical procedure to remove the infected fibroid ultimately cured her illness. It is suspected that Sternlieb may have contracted the infection in the hospital shortly after giving birth, through exposure to a pet reptile, or possibly through contact with a reptile at her son’s nursery school. The unique nature of her case, with the salmonella infection found in a uterine fibroid, made her situation a medical fascinoma, garnering interest from the medical community.
The discovery of the source of her illness prompted doctors to publish a report in the journal Obstetrics and Gynecology to alert other medical professionals to consider abdominal hives as a possible sign of underlying infections. Sternlieb’s recovery following the surgery was swift, and she has not experienced another episode of illness since then. The surgery was deemed a cure for her condition, sparing her from the potential dangers of sepsis had the infected fibroid ruptured. This case serves as a reminder of the importance of thorough investigation and consideration of all possible sources of infection in treating patients with complex and unusual illnesses.
