Lymphocyte sub-populations in a group of heroin addicts in Pakistan.

A study on a group of fifty heroin abusers was conducted to analyse their immunocompetence. Absolute numbers of lymphocytes and their sub-populations in the peripheral blood were used as the parameter. Sub-populations of lymphocytes were distinguished on the basis of their ability to form rosettes with sheep's erythrocytes. Another group of fifty individuals comprising non-abusers was studied as control. The mean values for total lymphocytes and the T-cells in non-abusers were within the expected normal range, while those obtained for the heroin abusers were below normal value. Difference between the cell counts of the two groups was statistically significant. The mean of non-rosetting cells of the two groups of population studied did not differ significantly. Results indicate a marked deficiency in the cellular immune compartment of the subjects with not much impairment of the humoral immune system. The chi-square test for independence between lymphocyte counts and drug abuse revealed a degree of association with 88% confidence.