Liver function in drug addicts: hepatitis B markers and cell-mediated immunity.
Liver function tests, hepatitis B virus (HBV) markers and cell-mediated immunity were evaluated in 100 drug addicts and in 54 healthy controls. Liver damage prevalence was much higher in the drug group, both in HBV marker-positive and in marker-negative subjects. Moreover HBV marker distribution was different among addicts in comparison with controls, in which the patterns of infection overcoming were more frequent. Cell-mediated immunity assessment showed a deep depression in the addict group. These data suggest that liver damage in addicts may be due mainly to the immunologic defect, which would have a negative influence on the action of HBV and of other viral and non-viral agents.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004137:Dinitrochlorobenzene / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008297:Male; D012882:Skin Tests; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000276:immunology*
D004137:Dinitrochlorobenzene; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens