The acute and chronic effects of alcohol on the human immune system

The immunologic status of 24 male patients admitted for acute alcoholic detoxification was evaluated by in vivo and in vitro parameters. In vivo reactivity, as measured by skin testing with a denovo antigen, dinitrochlorobenzene, as well as a recall antigen, tuberculin, was inact. However, both qualitative and quantitative defects were seen in vitro in the thymus-derived lymphocyte population. These defects were not seen in recovered alcoholics, that is, they appear reversible. The defects seen in the cell-mediated immunity of alcoholics may, in part, be responsible for the high incidence of head and neck cancer observed in this patient population.