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Histological Analyses of Acute Alcoholic Liver Injury in Zebrafish
Published on: May 25, 2017
Infections in alcoholic liver disease
Angela C Kim1, Marcia E Epstein, Pranisha Gautam-Goyal
1Department of Medicine, North Shore LIJ Health System, Division of Infectious Disease, 400 Community Drive, Manhasset, NY 11030, USA. akim@nshs.edu
Clinics in Liver Disease
|October 30, 2012
Summary
Alcoholic individuals face higher infection risks due to immune defects and associated factors. These include mental status changes increasing risks for lung abscesses and social determinants linked to specific pathogens.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Immunology
- Public Health
Background:
- Alcohol consumption significantly impairs immune function, increasing susceptibility to infections.
- Co-occurring conditions like depressed mental status exacerbate infection risks, particularly for aspiration-related syndromes.
- Social determinants, including hygiene and living conditions, are associated with specific microbial exposures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the multifaceted risks of infection in individuals with alcohol use disorder.
- To highlight the interplay between immune defects, clinical conditions, and social factors in infection susceptibility.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and synthesis of existing research on alcohol use and infection.
- Analysis of risk factors including immune status, mental state, and social determinants.
- Identification of specific pathogens linked to these risk factors.
Main Results:
- Alcohol-induced immune defects are a primary driver of general infection risk.
- Depressed consciousness in alcohol-dependent individuals elevates the risk of lung abscesses via aspiration.
- Specific microorganisms like *Mycobacterium tuberculosis*, *Bartonella quintana*, *Vibrio vulnificus*, and *Capnocytophaga canimorus* are linked to social and environmental factors in this population.
Conclusions:
- Alcohol use disorder presents a complex risk profile for diverse infections.
- Interventions addressing immune function, mental health, and social determinants are crucial for mitigating infection risk in alcoholic individuals.
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