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American Journal of Epidemiology Vol. 111, No. 1: 81-86
Copyright © 1980 by The Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health

research-article

IMMUNOGLOBULINS IN HEROIN USERS

RONALD R. BLANCK1, NORMAN REAM2 and MICHAEL DEEGAN3

1Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD 20014
2Health Sciences Command Fort Sam Houston, TX
3University of Michigan Medical Center Ann Arbor, MI

Concentrations of the serum immunoglobulins IgG, IgM, and IgA as well as rheumatoid factor were studied in a group of 80 intravenous and nonparenteral heroin users who were US soldiers servlng in Vietnam and who were unique in their use of unadutterated heroin. Significant elevations of IgM out of normal range and IgG above controls were found in intravenous heroin users, while significant elevations of IgA above controls were found in nonparenteral heroin users. Rheumatoid factor was not found in either group. Evidence is presented to support the hypothesis that IgM elevation may be due to bacterial or other contamination but not to liver disease. The higher IgA in non-parenteral heroin users is postulated to reflect local antibody synthesis. The failure to detect rheumatold factor in this study supports the view that the stimulation of rheumatoid factor is due to excipients or contaminants not found in the "uncut" drug.

antibodies; viral; drug dependence; hepatitis B surface antigen; heroin addiction; immunoglobulins; rheumatoid factor


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