ABSTRACT
Introduction and Historical Background . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 527 Effect of Marijuana Components on Susceptibility to Infections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 528 Opiate Effects on Immunity and Susceptibility to Infections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 530 Cocaine and Infections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 532 Nicotine and Secondhand Smoke Effects on Infection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 533 Alcohol Modulation of Resistance to Infections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 536 Discussion and Conclusions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 537 Acknowledgments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 537 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 537
Widely used illegal drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, and opiates, including heroin, have been extensively studied for effects on host physiology, especially for effects on the immune system. In particular, recreational use of these drugs has aroused serious concerns about the consequences that drug abuse may have on resistance to infectious diseases. Numerous clinical studies have addressed the use of illegal drugs, susceptibility to infections and the mechanisms involved. In addition, excessive use of legal addictive psychoactive substances, such as alcohol and nicotine, correlates with major health problems, including hospitalization of alcoholics and heavy smokers for infectious diseases.
