Alcohol’s effects on lung health and immunity

Samantha M. Simet, Joseph H. Sisson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

90 Scopus citations

Abstract

It has long been known that people with alcohol use disorder (AUD) not only may develop physical dependence but also may experience devastating long-term health problems. The most common and identifiable alcohol-associated health problems include liver cirrhosis, pancreatitis, cardiomyopathies, neuropathies, and dementia. However, the lung also is adversely affected by alcohol abuse, a fact often overlooked by clinicians and the public. Individuals with AUD are more likely to develop pneumonia, tuberculosis (TB), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection, and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Increased susceptibility to these and other pulmonary infections is caused by impaired immune responses in people with AUD. The key immune cells involved in combating pulmonary conditions such as pneumonia, TB, RSV infection, and ARDS are neutrophils, lymphocytes, alveolar macrophages, and the cells responsible for innate immune responses. Researchers are only now beginning to understand how alcohol affects these cells and how these effects contribute to the pathophysiology of pulmonary diseases in people with AUD.

Original languageEnglish (US)
JournalAlcohol Research: Current Reviews
Volume37
Issue number2
StatePublished - Jun 27 2015

Keywords

  • Abuse
  • Acute respiratory distress syndrome
  • Alcohol use
  • Alcohol use disorder
  • Alveolar macrophages
  • And dependence
  • Immunity
  • Impaired immune response
  • Innate immune response
  • Lung disorders
  • Lymphocytes
  • Neutrophils
  • Pathophysiology
  • Pneumonia
  • Pulmonary infection
  • Respiratory syncytial virus infection
  • Tuberculosis

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Medicine(all)

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