Host defenses during prolonged alcohol consumption in a controlled environment.

To determine the pure effects of prolonged alcohol ingestion on host defenses, we studied six noncirrhotic alcoholic volunteers drinking in the Clinical Research Center. All had tests of granulocyte, humoral, and cell-mediated immune function before and at the end of eight to 28 days' intake of approximately 0.75 liter of 100-proof whiskey per day. Results of all tests were normal during the drinking period, except for the following: (1) granulocyte chemotaxis was depressed in three volunteers and improved on alcohol withdrawal; (2) antibody response to keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) immunization was poor; and (3) delayed hypersensitivity could not be established to KLH. Although it is somewhat surprising that more abnormalities were not induced, the three defects noted may contribute to the alcoholic's poor resistance to infection.

Host-defense mechanisms in hidradenitis suppurativa.

Host-defense mechanisms were studied in seven patients with active hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). Granulocyte phagocytic function was measured by ingestion of Staphylococcus aureus labeled with radioactive carbon 14 and intracellular killing was determined by bactericidal pour plate method. Chemotaxis was measured by radioactive counting of sodium chromate Cr 51 granulocytes migrating in modified Boyden chambers. Granulocyte adherence was estimated in vitro by filtering blood samples through nylon fiber columns. Cell-mediated immunity was measured by intradermal delayed hypersensitivity responses to Candida, mumps. streptokinase/streptodornase, and purified protein derivative antigens. No abnormality was demonstrated in any granulocyte or cell-mediated immune function tests. Moreover, all patients had normal immunoglobulin levels and elevated total hemolytic complement. Therefore, we conclude that HS is a localized chronic infection of apocrine glands without a generalized defect in host defense.