Alcohol Abuse, Immunosuppression, and Pulmonary Infection
Excessive alcohol consumption predisposes the host to a wide range of infectious complications, particularly pulmonary infections. Factors that contribute to the development of pulmonary infections in alcohol-abusing patients include dysfunction of the protective barriers in the respiratory
tract, aspiration of oropharyngeal contents, nutritional deficiencies, liver disease, and impairment of host defense mechanisms. This review discusses the complex host-pathogen interactions in the airways with an emphasis on how alcohol consumption adversely affects these mechanisms and predisposes
the host to infections. Potential immunomodulatory strategies for enhancing host defense function in alcoholconsuming patients are also discussed.
Keywords: Alcohol abuse; host defense; immunity; infection; lung; pneumonia
Document Type: Research Article
Publication date: 01 January 2008
Current Drug Abuse Reviews aims to publish the highest quality reviews, meta-analyses and drug clinical trial studies on all latest advances on alcohol and drug abuse and addiction.
Book reviews are also published. The Journal will further comprise an agenda listing relevant meetings and conferences that will take place in near future, and advertisement.
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