[Alcohol-induced immunosuppression is reversible]

The aim of the study was to investigate to which degree and how fast cellular immunodepression may be reversed after cessation of alcohol intake. Delayed hypersensitivity was investigated in ten severe alcoholics and in seven moderate consumers. A group of eight previous drinkers was tested for comparison. The skin test responses were modest initially with a median area of response of 12 mm2 in the heavy alcoholics, and three mm2 in the moderate consumers. It improved significantly after two weeks of sobriety. The responses stabilized after eight to nine weeks at 63-74 mm2, corresponding to the response of 70 mm2 in the group of previous drinkers.