Mechanisms of host defense in well nourished patients with chronic alcoholism.

Tests of immune function were performed on five recently abstinent, well nourished,and disease-free patients with chronic alcoholism. No significant defects in adherence, metabolic, or bactericidal activity of polymorphonuclear leukocytes were found when compared to sex-matched controls. Antibody-dependent and natural killer cellular cytotoxicity of monocyte-macrophages and lymphocytes also were normal. These data support the concept that immunity might be intact in the group of patients with chronic alcoholism who are recently sober, well nourished, and free of underlying disease.