Cell mediated immunity and alcohol intake in Antarctic wintering personnel.

Abstract

The relationship between cell-mediated immunity and alcohol intake was studied in an Antarctic wintering group. Cell-mediated immune responses have previously been shown to be significantly lowered on the Antarctic Continent. The cause for this is yet to be elucidated. The cutaneous CMI Multitest was used to assess cell-mediated immunity. Carbohydrate deficient transferrin (CDT) was used to assess chronic alcohol consumption and acute consumption was self-reported. Results showed a significantly elevated incidence of anergy when compared with previous results (53 v. 6.5%). The incidence of hypoergy was similar to previously reported levels (34%). There was no relationship demonstrated between both acute or chronic alcohol consumption and levels of cell-mediated immunity using the Spearman Rank Correlation Coefficient. There was also no correlation found between CDT and self-reported alcohol intake. It is concluded that factors other than alcohol are responsible for the decrease in cell-mediated immunity in Antarctic wintering personnel.