[Morphology of immune system organs in drug addiction].

The autopsy material from the thymus, spleen and bifurcation tracheal lymph nodes from 34 drug addicts who died because of heroin overdosing were studied. Morphin and heroin components were found in all tissues and fluids investigated. The enzyme immunoassay identified antibodies to hepatitis C virus in blood serum. The control group consisted of 12 cases who died of mechanic asphyxia and severe trauma. Morphologically, the livers from all cases were affected with chronic viral hepatitis of minimal-moderate activity. Accidental involution of the thymus, depletion of the cortical layer, hyperplasia of lymphoid follicles in the lymph nodes; prevailing follicles of type 1 in the spleen were found.