Antibodies to Squalene in Recipients of Anthrax Vaccine

Authors: Asa P.B.; Wilson R.B.; Garry R.F.

Source: Experimental and Molecular Pathology, Volume 73, Number 1, August 2002 , pp. 19-27(9)

Publisher: Academic Press

Abstract:

We previously reported that antibodies to squalene, an experimental vaccine adjuvant, are present in persons with symptoms consistent with Gulf War Syndrome (GWS) (P. B. Asa et al., Exp. Mol. Pathol 68, 196–197, 2000). The United States Department of Defense initiated the Anthrax Vaccine Immunization Program (AVIP) in 1997 to immunize 2.4 million military personnel. Because adverse reactions in vaccinated personnel were similar to symptoms of GWS, we tested AVIP participants for anti-squalene antibodies (ASA). In a pilot study, 6 of 6 vaccine recipients with GWS-like symptoms were positive for ASA. In a larger blinded study, only 32% (8/25) of AVIP personnel compared to 15.7% (3/19) of controls were positive (P > 0.05). Further analysis revealed that ASA were associated with specific lots of vaccine. The incidence of ASA in personnel in the blinded study receiving these lots was 47% (8/17) compared to an incidence of 0% (0/8; P < 0.025) of the AVIP participants receiving other lots of vaccine. Analysis of additional personnel revealed that in all but one case (19/20; 95%), ASA were restricted to personnel immunized with lots of vaccine known to contain squalene. Except for one symptomatic individual, positive clinical findings in 17 ASA-negative personnel were restricted to 4 individuals receiving vaccine from lots containing squalene. ASA were not present prior to vaccination in preimmunization sera available from 4 AVIP personnel. Three of these individuals became ASA positive after vaccination. These results suggest that the production of ASA in GWS patients is linked to the presence of squalene in certain lots of anthrax vaccine. ©2002 Elsevier Science (USA).

Keywords: anthrax vaccines; adverse adjuvant effect; squalene toxicity; Gulf War Syndrome; multisystem disorders

Language: English

Document Type: Research article

Affiliations: Department of Microbiology, Tulane University Medical School, 1430 Tulane Avenue, New Orleans, Louisiana, 70112

Publication date: 2002-08-01

• In this: publication
• By this: publisher
• In this Subject: Pathology
• By this author: Asa P.B. ;  Wilson R.B. ;  Garry R.F.

Website © Publishing Technology. Article copyright remains with the publisher, society or author(s) as specified within the article.

• Terms and conditions
• Privacy policy
• Information for advertisers