Immunological and hematological abnormalities in chronic alcoholism.

Thirty-two chronic alcoholics were studied immunologically and hematologically on the first hospital day after a period of excessive alcohol consumption. No patient had any signs of severe liver disease. All patients were tested for delayed skin hypersensitivity to PPD and mumps antigens. Quantitation of immunoglobulins and routine hematological tests were also performed. Fifteen and 23 patients did not respond to PPD and mumps antigens, respectively, compared to about 10 and 40% of anergic controls. Anergic patients had lower haptoglobin levels than skin-positive patients. Elevated IgM values were common. Thrombocytopenia was the most common (41%) hematological disturbance, while 19% of the patients were anemic.