Immune system in chronic narcotic intoxication

The analysis of the literature data demonstrates that secondary immunodeficiency in chronic narcotic intoxication results, primarily, from T-system dysfunction and attenuation of both cellular and humoral reactions. However, some evidence exist on the absence of such effects or even stimulation of the immune system by narcotic drugs. Morphological analysis of changes in the lymphoid organs of drug addicts who had died of different diseases in chronic narcotic intoxication was made by only few researchers, so functional morphology of immune system organs in chronic narcotic intoxication is an issue of the day which requires further investigation.     

Morphological changes in the lungs in chronic drug addiction

Morphological studies of the lungs and immune system organs were made in drug addicts with narcotic intoxication. Depletion of the central and peripheral lymphoid organs was found in most cases. It is shown that morphological changes in the lungs in acute and (or) chronic narcotic drug intoxication, the rate of acute and chronic inflammatory lung diseases reflect development of lung inflammation in the presence of aquired immunological deficiency in terminal chronic drug abuse. The documented features of different pathological processes in the lungs can improve diagnosis of acute and chronic drug intoxication by results of section and histological examinations.     

Infectious endocarditis in drug addicts

Clinicomorphological features of infectious endocarditis (IE) were studied on autopsy material from chronic drug addicts. Of special interest were morphological changes in the lymphoid organs. The experience of the author and literature data suggest that IE in drug addicts is a manifestation of secondary immunodeficiency syndrome on the background of chronic narcotic intoxication.