Infection and Alcoholic Liver Disease

Clin Liver Dis. 2016 Aug;20(3):595-606. doi: 10.1016/j.cld.2016.02.014. Epub 2016 Apr 2.

Abstract

Acute and chronic alcohol use leads to an impaired immune response and dysregulated inflammatory state that contributes to a markedly increased risk of infection. Via shared mechanisms of immune-mediated injury, alcohol can alter the clinical course of viral infections such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and human immunodeficiency virus. These effects are most evident in patients with alcoholic hepatitis and cirrhosis. This article provides an overview of alcohol's effect on the immune system and contribution to the risks and outcomes of specific infectious diseases.

Keywords: Alcoholic hepatitis; Cellular immunity; Cirrhosis; Infectious disease.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adaptive Immunity / drug effects
  • Alcohol Drinking / adverse effects
  • Alcohol Drinking / immunology
  • Animals
  • Bacterial Infections / etiology
  • Bacterial Infections / immunology
  • Digestive System / drug effects
  • Digestive System / immunology
  • Ethanol / toxicity
  • HIV Infections / complications
  • Hepatitis B, Chronic / complications
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / complications
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Innate / drug effects
  • Immunocompromised Host
  • Infections / etiology*
  • Infections / immunology
  • Liver Diseases, Alcoholic / complications*
  • Liver Diseases, Alcoholic / immunology*
  • Liver Transplantation
  • Permeability / drug effects
  • Phagocytosis / drug effects
  • Risk Factors

Substances

  • Ethanol