ALLERGIC AND IMMUNOLOGICAL PROFILE OF SYMPTOMATIC PERSIAN-GULF-WAR VETERANS

Background: Persian Gulf War veterans have been enrolled in the Vetera ns Administration Persian Gulf Health Registry for evaluation of unexp lained symptoms and illnesses. The allergy and immunology division at the West Los Angeles Veterans Administration Medical Center evaluated 20 consecutive symptomatic Persian Gulf War veterans. Objective: The p urpose of this study was to examine the immunologic profiles of sympto matic Persian Gulf War Veterans. Methods: A detailed history was obtai ned that included duties/responsibilities, length of time in the Persi an Gulf, location, and exposures during the Gulf War. A complete physi cal examination was performed, with extensive laboratory testing and i mmediate and delayed hypersensitivity skin testing. Data from these Pe rsian Gulf War Veterans were compared with a control population consis ting of 44 non-Persian Gulf War veterans enrolled in our allergy and i mmunology clinic. Presenting allergic symptoms, presence of atopy, and total serum IgE levels were compared. Results: Persian Gulf study pat ients and registry patients had a broad spectrum of nonspecific sympto ms as compared with allergy clinic control patients who had dermatolog ic and respiratory symptoms. Persian Gulf study patients with allergy symptoms had a higher mean IgE level (88.7 IU/mL) than Persian Gulf st udy patients without allergy symptoms (47.5 IU/mL). Persian Gulf study patients with positive skin tests had a higher mean IgE level (161.5 IU/mL) than Persian Gulf study patients with negative skin tests (22.3 IU/mL). Laboratory data showed no significant immune abnormalities. C onclusion: Our study showed that 20 Persian Gulf veterans with a multi tude of nonspecific symptoms had no immune abnormality. Mean IgE level s and eosinophil counts correlated with atopic state and reported alle rgy symptoms.