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Updated: Jun 26, 2026

Quantification of the Immunosuppressant Tacrolimus on Dried Blood Spots Using LC-MS/MS

Quantification of the Immunosuppressant Tacrolimus on Dried Blood Spots Using LC-MS/MS

Published on: November 8, 2015

[Opioid-induced immunosuppression. A clinically relevant problem?].

H L Rittner¹, A Brack

¹Klinik und Poliklinik für Anästhesiologie, Zentrum Operative Medizin, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, Oberdürrbacher Str. 6, 97080, Würzburg, Deutschland.

Der Anaesthesist

|January 22, 2009

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

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Opioid use may increase infection risk, but human studies show mixed results. More research is needed to confirm a link between opioid therapy and infections like HIV, sepsis, and pneumonia.

Area of Science:

Immunology
Infectious Diseases
Pharmacology

Background:

Opioids are known to have immunosuppressive effects in vitro and in animal models.
The clinical significance of these immunosuppressive effects regarding infection risk in humans remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

To review and summarize animal and human studies investigating the relationship between opioid use and the risk of infection.
To cover specific infection types including retroviral infections (HIV), sepsis, and pneumonia, as well as contexts like postoperative and chronic pain management.

Main Methods:

Systematic review of relevant animal and human studies.
Analysis of studies focusing on opioid use and infection risk in various clinical scenarios.

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Last Updated: Jun 26, 2026

Quantification of the Immunosuppressant Tacrolimus on Dried Blood Spots Using LC-MS/MS

Quantification of the Immunosuppressant Tacrolimus on Dried Blood Spots Using LC-MS/MS

Published on: November 8, 2015

Main Results:

A majority of animal studies indicated an increased risk of infection associated with opioid use.
Human studies presented contradictory findings, often limited by small sample sizes and methodological weaknesses, failing to meet evidence-based medicine standards.

Conclusions:

A definitive causal relationship between opioid therapy and an increased risk of infection in humans could not be conclusively established.
The potential for opioid therapy to increase infection risk cannot be entirely ruled out, warranting further investigation with robust study designs.