Immunotoxicity of poly-drug use: abnormalities in the active and high-affinity CD2 antigen (E-rosette receptor) bearing T-lymphocytes.

The E-rosetting profiles of T-cells were studied in 47 subjects with a history of poly-drug and alcohol abuse, and compared with 15 normal controls. No change was evident in numbers of total rosette-forming cells (TRFC). However, there was reduction in active and high-affinity rosette-forming cells (ARFC and HARFC). These two subsets of CD2-antigen-bearing T-cells are considered as immunocompetent surveillance cells. Thus the abnormality associated with them could be due to the combined immunotoxic effects of substance abuse, modulating the immune status of drug users.