title: NIDA technical review: nitrite inhalants.
abstract: Nitrite inhalants are commonly abused substances in the US and Europe. "Nitrite inhalants and AIDS" was a popular topic in the early 1980s when the cause of AIDS was not known. With the discovery of HIV, concern about nitrite use wained. However, nitrite inhalant use is associated with behavioral relapse and HIV transmission among gay men, with decreased lymphocyte counts and natural killer cell activity in laboratory studies, and remains a candidate "cofactor" in the pathogenesis of AIDS-related Karposi sarcoma. Discouraging nitrite use continues to be a worthwhile public health goal. Participants recommend specific research efforts.
authors.affiliation: Office on AIDS, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20857, USA.
authors.forename: H W
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Haverkos
authors.forename: D P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Drotman
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*; D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D004335:Drug and Narcotic Control; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009573:Nitrites / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000150:complications; D014481:United States; D014492:United States Public Health Service
chemical_list: D009573:Nitrites