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File: 950901_0600rpt_91d.txt
Final Report: Analysis of Iraqi Military Blood Samples
Filename:0600rpt.91d
Defense Intelligence Agency Armed Forces
Medical Intelligence
Center
Subject: Final Report: Analysis of Iraqi Military Blood Samples
Overview and Summary
This report describes the results of a project to test blood samples from
Iraqi military personnel involved in the Gulf War in order to help
identify biological warfare (BW) agents in the Iraqi inventory. These
blood samples were also tested to determine thc prevalence of a select
number of endemic, infectious diseases in the Persian Gulf Region.
The results indicate no conclusive evidence for an organized vaccination
program against the confirmed Iraqi BW agents, Bacillus anthracis
(anthrax) and botulinum toxin, or to any of the suspect BW agents,
Yersinia pestis (plague). Coxiella burnetii (Q fever), staphylococcal
enterotoxin B, Franisella tularensis (tularemia), and Brucella specics. A
number of endemic diseases were identified some with a reasonably high
prevalence. This information will aid in thc preparation of future risk
assessments provided in support of US military plans and operations
5 December 1991
Testing for Biological Warfare Agent Vaccination
Introduction
This report summarizes the results of a project to analyze blood samples
from Iraqi military personnel involved in the Gulf War for evidence that
they were vaccinated against Iraqi biological warfare (BW) agents. In so
doing, it was hoped that additional insight could be gained to help
determine which agents were in the Iraqi BW arsenal. The results of the
testing are presented in Table I.
Results and Discussion
No conclusive evidence for a vaccination program against any of the
confirmed or suspect Iraqi BW agents was found. The seven positive
reactions for Bacillus anthracis protective antigen are believed to be due
to either previous natural exposure or non-specific reaction in the test.
The 16 percent positive reaction to Caxiella burnetii is believed due to
endemic Z-fever indicating a quite high prevalence for this disease. The
number of samples for Brucella melitensis and staphylococcal enterotoxin B
is too small to be statistically significant.
Naturally-Occurring Diseases
Introduction
Blood samples were examined for a number of naturally-occurring infectious
diseases. This information could significantly improve risk assessments
provided in support of US military plans and operations. The results are
presented in Table II.
Results and Discussion
These results improved the confidence of previous regional infectious
disease risk assessments. The large percentage of positive reactions to
Sandfly fever (Sicilian and Naples strain) confirms the high risk this
disease poses for US military operations in the region. The positive
reactions for West Nile fever and Sindbis fever provide the first known
documentation of the suspected presence of these diseases in Iraq. The
low positivity rate for Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever, dengue fever, Q
fever and Rift Valley fever confirm the relatively low risk these
diseases would pose to US personnel. The number of samples for Rickettsia
typi is too small to be statisically significant.
Table 1. Results of Test for Vaccination
Against Confirmed or Suspect Iraqi
BW Agents
Agent/Disease Number Tested Number Positive
Bacillus anthracis
Protective antigen 132 7
Lethal factor 104 0
Botulinum toxin
Type A 69 0
Type B 21 0
Type C 21 0
Type D 20 0
Type E 20 0
Type F 20 0
Brucella melitensis 2 1
(brucellosis)
Coxiella burnetii 130 21
(Q-fever)
Francisella tularensis 130 1
(tularemai
Staphylococcal enterotoxin B 2 2
Yersinia pestis 132 1
(plague)
Table II Results of tests for
Exposure
to Naturally-Occurring Disease
Agent/Disease Number Tested Number Positive
Crimean Congo 125 1
hemorrhagic fever
Dengue fever 109 0
(serotype 2)
Rickettsia typhi 18 0
(murine typhus)
Rift Valley fever 125 1
Sandfly fever
Sindbis strain 125 98
Naples strain 126 49
Sindbis fever 109 3
West Nile fever 125 30
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