Immunological studies in methadone maintained patients.

Rosettes formed by circulating T and B lymphocytes obtained from 30 methadone maintained narcotic addicts were compared with those of 23 normal control subjects. Abnormal percentages of T rosette-forming cells were found in 6 of 30 patients (20%) while the percentages of B rosette-forming cells were increased in 40% and reduced in 27% of methadone patients. It appears that alterations in the percentages of peripheral lymphocytes, particularly those with cell surface complement receptors, should be added to the list of immunological abnormalities evident in some methadone-treated narcotic additics.