Ethanol inhibition of phagocytosis and superoxide anion production by microglia.

Ethanol consumption has been associated with aberrant immune responses resulting in increased susceptibility to infection including opportunistic infections of the central nervous system. We have investigated the effects of chronic ethanol treatment on phagocytosis and production of superoxide anion by microglia. Phagocytosis of radio-labeled opsonized E. coli was markedly suppressed by treating microglia with ethanol. The unstimulated synthesis of superoxide anion was not altered by ethanol treatment of microglia, but ethanol treatment effectively suppressed phorbol-12 myristate-13 acetate-stimulated microglia superoxide anion production. The results indicate that ethanol inhibition of microglia function may play a role in increased susceptibility for central nervous system infections, particularly in immunocompromised subjects.