heroin and Lymphatic-Diseases

Topics: Adult; Aged; Blood Pressure; Body Temperature; Body Weight; Cardiovascular Diseases; Female; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Heroin; Humans; Liver Diseases; Lung Diseases; Lymphatic Diseases; Male; Middle Aged; Morphine Dependence; Pulse; Skin Diseases; Splenic Diseases; Substance-Related Disorders; Urologic Diseases

The prolonged generalized lymphadenopathy syndrome (PGL) has been considered a prodromal condition to the Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), but the clinical, virological and immunological characteristics of patients who will develop AIDS are not known. We report on the immunological profile of intravenous drug abusers with or without PGL in Northeastern Italy. We found a reduction of lymphocyte-absolute numbers with reversal of the T4/T8 ratio and decreased Leu-11b+ cells. The response to mitogens and natural killer activity are compromised in PGL patients. Neutrophil function is reduced both in drug abusers with or without lymphadenopathy. The serological investigations revealed a high prevalence of antibodies against HTLV III and the Epstein-Barr viruses. The recognition of immune dysfunction in the intravenous drug abusers appears to be important since these patients develop AIDS and these abnormalities may precede AIDS.

Topics: Adult; AIDS-Related Complex; Antibodies, Viral; Deltaretrovirus; Female; Heroin; HIV Antibodies; Humans; Italy; Killer Cells, Natural; Leukocyte Count; Lymphatic Diseases; Lymphocyte Activation; Male; Phagocytosis; Substance-Related Disorders; T-Lymphocytes

A population including homosexual or heroinoman patients with lymphadenopathy is reported with special reference to Beta-2-microglobulin. This molecule seems to be more related to concomitant infection rather than to a high risk group. Thus, elevated Beta-2-microglobulin is useful to exclude infected donors but no high risk SIDA population.

Topics: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; beta 2-Microglobulin; Blood Donors; Heroin; Homosexuality; Humans; Lymphatic Diseases; Risk; Substance-Related Disorders

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Biopsy; Diagnosis, Differential; Heroin; Heroin Dependence; Hodgkin Disease; Humans; Lymphadenitis; Lymphatic Diseases; Male; Substance-Related Disorders