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

Publication ,  Journal Article
Zhang, Q; Zhou, XD; Denny, T; Ottenweller, JE; Lange, G; LaManca, JJ; Lavietes, MH; Pollet, C; Gause, WC; Natelson, BH
Published in: Clin Diagn Lab Immunol
January 1999

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.

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Published In

Clin Diagn Lab Immunol

DOI

ISSN

1071-412X

Publication Date

January 1999

Volume

6

Issue

1

Start / End Page

6 / 13

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Persian Gulf Syndrome
  • Models, Biological
  • Middle Aged
  • Microbiology
  • Male
  • Lymphocyte Subsets
  • Killer Cells, Natural
  • Immunology
 

Citation

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Zhang, Q., Zhou, X. D., Denny, T., Ottenweller, J. E., Lange, G., LaManca, J. J., … Natelson, B. H. (1999). Changes in immune parameters seen in Gulf War veterans but not in civilians with chronic fatigue syndrome. Clin Diagn Lab Immunol, 6(1), 6–13. https://doi.org/10.1128/CDLI.6.1.6-13.1999
Zhang, Q., X. D. Zhou, T. Denny, J. E. Ottenweller, G. Lange, J. J. LaManca, M. H. Lavietes, C. Pollet, W. C. Gause, and B. H. Natelson. “Changes in immune parameters seen in Gulf War veterans but not in civilians with chronic fatigue syndrome.Clin Diagn Lab Immunol 6, no. 1 (January 1999): 6–13. https://doi.org/10.1128/CDLI.6.1.6-13.1999.
Zhang Q, Zhou XD, Denny T, Ottenweller JE, Lange G, LaManca JJ, et al. 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.
Zhang, Q., et al. “Changes in immune parameters seen in Gulf War veterans but not in civilians with chronic fatigue syndrome.Clin Diagn Lab Immunol, vol. 6, no. 1, Jan. 1999, pp. 6–13. Pubmed, doi:10.1128/CDLI.6.1.6-13.1999.
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.

Published In

Clin Diagn Lab Immunol

DOI

ISSN

1071-412X

Publication Date

January 1999

Volume

6

Issue

1

Start / End Page

6 / 13

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Persian Gulf Syndrome
  • Models, Biological
  • Middle Aged
  • Microbiology
  • Male
  • Lymphocyte Subsets
  • Killer Cells, Natural
  • Immunology