Alcohol consumption also impacts cell-mediated and humoral immunity. In a very early study, alcohol abuse was associated with a reduction in CD4 and CD8 T cell numbers (McFarland and Libre 1963). This general finding was confirmed in a cross-sectional study of heavy male drinkers (90–249 drinks/month) who displayed lower B cell numbers than moderate (30–89 drinks/month) or light (<10 drinks/month) drinkers (Mili, Flanders et al. 1992). Additionally, 153 chronic alcoholics (men and women) without liver disease had a decreased ratio of CD4/CD8 T cells in peripheral blood (Gheorghiu, Bara et al. 2004). Thus, in humans it appears that alcohol consumption can lower lymphocyte numbers, and decreases are most apparent in those with AUD.
