Tag: Gulf War Illness

Changes in immune parameters seen in Gulf War veterans but not in civilians with chronic fatigue syndrome

Abstract:

The purpose of this study was to evaluate immune function through the assessment of lymphocyte subpopulations (total T cells, major histocompatibility complex [MHC] I- and II-restricted T cells, B cells, NK cells, MHC II-restricted T-cell-derived naive and memory cells, and several MHC I-restricted T-cell activation markers) and the measurement of cytokine gene expression (interleukin 2 [IL-2], IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, gamma interferon [IFN-gamma], and tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF-alpha]) from peripheral blood lymphocytes.

Subjects included two groups of patients meeting published case definitions for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)-a group of veterans who developed their illness following their return home from participating in the Gulf War and a group of nonveterans who developed the illness sporadically. Case control comparison groups were comprised of healthy Gulf War veterans and nonveterans, respectively.

We found no significant difference for any of the immune variables in the nonveteran population. In contrast, veterans with CFS had significantly more total T cells and MHC II+ T cells and a significantly higher percentage of these lymphocyte subpopulations, as well as a significantly lower percentage of NK cells, than the respective controls.

In addition, veterans with CFS had significantly higher levels of IL-2, IL-10, IFN-gamma, and TNF-alpha than the controls. These data do not support the hypothesis of immune dysfunction in the genesis of CFS for sporadic cases of CFS but do suggest that service in the Persian Gulf is associated with an altered immune status in veterans who returned with severe fatiguing illness.

 

Source: Zhang Q, Zhou XD, Denny T, Ottenweller JE, Lange G, LaManca JJ, Lavietes MH, Pollet C, Gause WC, Natelson BH. Changes in immune parameters seen in Gulf War veterans but not in civilians with chronic fatigue syndrome. Clin Diagn Lab Immunol. 1999 Jan;6(1):6-13. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC95652/ (Full article)

 

Medical evaluation of Persian Gulf veterans with fatigue and/or chemical sensitivity

Abstract:

The purpose of this study was to determine if Gulf War veterans with complaints of severe fatigue and/or chemical sensitivity (n = 72) fulfill case definitions for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and/or multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) and to compare the characteristics of those veterans who received a diagnosis of CFS (n = 24) to a group of non-veterans diagnosed with CFS (n = 95).

Thirty-three veterans received a diagnosis of CFS with 14 having MCS concurrently; an additional six had MCS but did not fulfill a case definition for CFS. The group of fatigued veterans receiving a diagnosis of CFS was comprised of significantly fewer women and fewer Caucasians than the civilian group, and significantly fewer veterans reported a sudden onset to their illness.

Veterans with CFS had a milder form of the illness than their civilian counterparts based on medical examiner assessment of the severity of the symptoms, reported days of reduced activity, and ability to work. Since CFS in veterans seems less severe than that seen in civilians, the prognosis for recovery of veterans with this disorder may be better.

 

Source: Pollet C, Natelson BH, Lange G, Tiersky L, DeLuca J, Policastro T, Desai P, Ottenweller JE, Korn L, Fiedler N, Kipen H. Medical evaluation of Persian Gulf veterans with fatigue and/or chemical sensitivity. J Med. 1998;29(3-4):101-13. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9865452

 

Gulf War illnesses: complex medical, scientific and political paradox

Abstract:

Gulf War illnesses are a collection of disorders that for the most part can be diagnosed and treated, if effective programmes exist to assist veterans, and in some cases their immediate family members.

Although these illnesses are complex and have multi-organ signs and symptoms, a proportion of these patients can be identified as having Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) and/or Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS).

Although there are many possible causes of CSF/ME/FMS, chronic infections can explain, at least in a subset of patients, the apparent transmission of these illnesses to family members and the appearance of chronic, multi-organ and auto-immune signs and symptoms. Unfortunately, many veterans who have been diagnosed with chronic infections, such as mycoplasmal infections, cannot obtain adequate treatment for their condition, resulting in their reliance on private physicians and clinics for assistance. This lack of response may ultimately be responsible for the transmission of the illness to non-veterans.

 

Source: Nicolson GL, Nicolson NL. Gulf War illnesses: complex medical, scientific and political paradox. Med Confl Surviv. 1998 Apr-Jun;14(2):156-65. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9633269

 

Epstein-Barr virus infection in Desert Storm reservists

Abstract:

Approximately 150 U.S. Army reservists from Indiana reported symptoms consistent with chronic fatigue syndrome after returning stateside from the tour of duty in Saudi Arabia. A psychiatric team confirmed the diagnosis, evaluated possible etiology, and treated the service members when appropriate. Those available service members who met the study’s diagnostic criteria for chronic fatigue syndrome (n = 37) received an Epstein-Barr virus panel. Seventy-three percent of these selected service members were positive either for an acute or reactivated Epstein-Barr viral infection. These data suggest that service members who suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome may have their symptoms increased and prolonged by secondary viral infections.

 

Source: Carver LA, Connallon PF, Flanigan SJ, Crossley-Miller MK. Epstein-Barr virus infection in Desert Storm reservists. Mil Med. 1994 Aug;159(8):580-2. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7824153