Influence of ethanol on E-rosette formation by T lymphocytes in alcoholics: Preliminary report

The immunopathology of patients with alcohol dependence has been shown earlier. The purpose of the present study was therefore to investigate the influence of alcohol on the E-rosette-forming reaction of lymphocytes in alcoholics, to ascertain whether alcohol dependence is indicated by the functioning of the human immune system. Nineteen patients with alcohol dependence and 11 healthy persons were investigated. Ethanol at a concentration of 0.02% and more was found to inhibit the formation of E-rosettes by lymphocytes in healthy persons and to stimulate their formation by lymphocytes in alcoholic patients.