Recent developments in alcoholism:immunological aspects

The association between chronic ethanol use and a predisposition to infection and increased severity of infection has been recognized by clinicians for many years. Clinical studies over the last century have substantiated individual clinical observations. Numerous studies have indicated that alcoholics are more susceptible to pulmonary infections and do not respond to treatment as well as nonalcoholic patients. A diminished ability to clear bacteria after chronic or acute ethanol treatment has also been demonstrated in a variety of experimental animals. Within the last few years a number of investigators have attempted to elucidate the mechanisms responsible for the apparent impairment of the immune system by either chronic or acute ethanol treatment. Alcohol has been reported to have adverse effects on all major components of the immune system. Ethanol affects the number of immunocompetent cells as well as the function of the remaining cells. In this review the effect of acute ethanol intoxication or chronic ethanol use on leukocyte and lymphocyte numbers, alteration of cellular function, and ability of the cells to arrive at the site of infection are addressed.