[Effect of experimental alcoholic intoxication on the cell-mediated immune response in mice]

Repeated ip injection of ethyl alcohol in a relatively high dose depressed the immune response, to a greater degree in Swiss mice than in C57BL/6 mice, as shown by a diminution in granuloma size and in the hypersensitivity reaction to tuberculin compared with untreated controls. The control of bacillary multiplication in the popliteal lymph node was more efficient in alcohol-treated Swiss mice than in the corresponding controls, but was less efficient in alcohol-treated C57BL/6 animals than in their controls. Alcohol treatment caused no reduction in the number of circulating lymphocytes, and no modification of the distribution of B and T lymphocytes in the spleen, or of the stimulation of T lymphocytes in the presence of mitogens.