Absence of Mycoplasma Contamination in the Anthrax Vaccine

Abstract

Mycoplasma contamination of the licensed anthrax vaccine administered to military personnel has been suggested as a possible cause of Persian Gulf illness. Vaccine samples tested by nonmilitary laboratories were negative for viable mycoplasma and mycoplasma DNA and did not support its survival. Mycoplasma contamination of anthrax vaccine should not be considered a possible cause of illness.

Keywords

• anthrax
• vaccine
• mycoplasma
• United States