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The Gut-Microbiome in Gulf War Veterans: A Preliminary Report

Author

Listed:
  • Patricia A. Janulewicz

    (Environmental Health Department, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02118, USA)

  • Ratanesh K. Seth

    (Environmental Health and Disease Laboratory, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA)

  • Jeffrey M. Carlson

    (Environmental Health Department, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02118, USA)

  • Joy Ajama

    (Environmental Health Department, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02118, USA)

  • Emily Quinn

    (Biostatistics and Epidemiology Data Analytics Center, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02118, USA)

  • Timothy Heeren

    (Biostatistics Department, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02118, USA)

  • Nancy Klimas

    (Department of Clinical Immunology, Nova Southeastern University, 3200 South University Drive, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33328, USA)

  • Steven M. Lasley

    (Department of Cancer Biology and Pharmacology, University of Illinois College of Medicine Peoria, Peoria, IL 61605, USA)

  • Ronnie D. Horner

    (Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA)

  • Kimberly Sullivan

    (Environmental Health Department, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02118, USA
    Denotes co-last authors.)

  • Saurabh Chatterjee

    (Environmental Health and Disease Laboratory, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
    Denotes co-last authors.)

Abstract

Gulf War Illness (GWI) is a chronic multi-symptom disorder affecting the central nervous system (CNS), immune and gastrointestinal (GI) systems of Gulf War veterans (GWV). We assessed the relationships between GWI, GI symptoms, gut microbiome and inflammatory markers in GWV from the Boston Gulf War Illness Consortium (GWIC). Three groups of GWIC veterans were recruited in this pilot study; GWV without GWI and no gastrointestinal symptoms (controls), GWV with GWI and no gastrointestinal symptoms (GWI-GI), GWV with GWI who reported gastrointestinal symptoms (GW+GI). Here we report on a subset of the first thirteen stool samples analyzed. Results showed significantly different gut microbiome patterns among the three groups and within the GWI +/−GI groups. Specifically, GW controls had a greater abundance of firmicutes and the GWI+GI group had a greater abundance of the phyla bacteroidetes, actinobacteria, euryarchaeota, and proteobacteria as well as higher abundances of the families Bacteroidaceae, Erysipelotrichaceae, and Bifidobacteriaceae. The GWI+GI group also showed greater plasma levels of the inflammatory cytokine TNF-RI and they endorsed significantly more chemical weapons exposure during the war and reported significantly greater chronic pain, fatigue and sleep difficulties than the other groups. Studies with larger samples sizes are needed to confirm these initial findings.

Suggested Citation

  • Patricia A. Janulewicz & Ratanesh K. Seth & Jeffrey M. Carlson & Joy Ajama & Emily Quinn & Timothy Heeren & Nancy Klimas & Steven M. Lasley & Ronnie D. Horner & Kimberly Sullivan & Saurabh Chatterjee, 2019. "The Gut-Microbiome in Gulf War Veterans: A Preliminary Report," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(19), pages 1-14, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:19:p:3751-:d:273620
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    4. Clara G. Zundel & Maxine H. Krengel & Timothy Heeren & Megan K. Yee & Claudia M. Grasso & Patricia A. Janulewicz Lloyd & Steven S. Coughlin & Kimberly Sullivan, 2019. "Rates of Chronic Medical Conditions in 1991 Gulf War Veterans Compared to the General Population," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-16, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Ayushi Trivedi & Dipro Bose & Kelly Moffat & Elisabeth Pearson & Dana Walsh & Devra Cohen & Jonathan Skupsky & Linda Chao & Julia Golier & Patricia Janulewicz & Kimberly Sullivan & Maxine Krengel & As, 2024. "Gulf War Illness Is Associated with Host Gut Microbiome Dysbiosis and Is Linked to Altered Species Abundance in Veterans from the BBRAIN Cohort," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(8), pages 1-22, August.
    2. Chelsey Poisson & Sheri Boucher & Domenique Selby & Sylvia P. Ross & Charulata Jindal & Jimmy T. Efird & Pollie Bith-Melander, 2020. "A Pilot Study of Airborne Hazards and Other Toxic Exposures in Iraq War Veterans," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-15, May.
    3. Ryan S. Mote & Jessica M. Carpenter & Rachel L. Dockman & Andrew J. Steinberger & Garret Suen & Thomas Norberg & Donald A. Harn & John J. Wagner & Nikolay M. Filipov, 2020. "Assessing the Beneficial Effects of the Immunomodulatory Glycan LNFPIII on Gut Microbiota and Health in a Mouse Model of Gulf War Illness," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-18, September.

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