GULF-WAR SYNDROME - IS IT DUE TO A SYSTEMIC SHIFT IN CYTOKINE BALANCETOWARDS A TH2 PROFILE

The symptoms of Gulf War syndrome are compatible with the hypothesis t hat the immune system of affected individuals is biased towards a Th2- cytokine pattern. Factors that could lead to a Th2 shift among Gulf Wa r veterans include exposure to multiple Th2-inducing vaccinations unde r stressful circumstances and the way in which such vaccinations were administered, which would be expected to maximise Th2 immunogenicity. These factors may have led to a long-term systemic shift towards a Th2 -cytokine balance and to mood changes related to the immunoendocrine s tate. Other vaccines that lead to similar long-term, non-specific shif ts in cytokine balance are well-established. If our hypothesis is prov en, treatment may be possible with regimens that induce a systemic Th1 bias.