Yashwant Kumar, Lakshmi PVM, Ranjana Walker Minz, Seema Chhabra and Biman Saikia
Long-term intake of alcohol affects virtually every organ in the body including the immune system. The relation between alcohol abuse and immunoglobulin production has not been studied in Indian population. Serum levels of immunoglobulins (total IgE, IgG, IgM, and IgA) therefore, were analyzed in adult chronic alcoholics and were correlated with different epidemiological and alcohol-related parameters. The results showed that 98% of alcoholics had abnormal immunoglobulin levels and 92% showed high or very high total serum IgE levels compared to 24% of the control group. Long term and moderate consumption of alcohol were also associated with frequent infections. Serum immunoglobulin assay including total IgE may be helpful in screening and assessment of chronicity of alcohol abuse.
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Immunochemistry & Immunopathology received 174 citations as per Google Scholar report
