Immunoglobulins in chronic alcoholics: relation to liver histology and effect of 2-month abstinence therapy.

Serum immunoglobulin levels and alpha1-fetoprotein were measured in 49 male alcoholics entering an abstinence program. These parameters were evaluated in relation to liver histology. Of 49 studied alcoholics, 32 had elevated serum immunoglobulin levels, chiefly IgA, which occurred in 29 patients.