Alcoholism

Immunosuppression May Cause Risk Of Death From Pneumonia

Published in TB and Outbreaks Week, July 10th, 2001

Alcoholics are among those considered most at risk of dying from bacterial pneumonia.

Alcohol consumption suppresses the release of cytokine interleukin-17 (IL-17) in response to bacterial infection, thereby causing a form of immunosuppression. Conversely, gene transfer of IL-17 in an animal model normalizes mortality rates despite continued alcohol consumption.

Pneumonia is a very common yet serious illness that affects approximately one out of 100 people in the U.S. each year. In fact, pneumonia and influenza are the fifth leading cause of death in the U.S. Those considered most vulnerable are the elderly, infants and young children, people with...

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Source: TB and Outbreaks Week (2001-07-10)

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