Effect of cessation of drug misuse on the immune status of HIV-infected injecting drug users

The effects of cessation of i.v. drug use on CD4 lymphocyte count and serum levels of beta(2)-microglobulin (beta(2)m) and soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) were prospectively investigated in 41 HIV-positive drug users enrolled in a methadone treatment programme. Fifteen HIV-positive matched non-abstainers served as controls. During the follow-up of 12 months the mean CD4 lymphocyte count remained unchanged in the methadone-treated group but fell significantly in controls. beta(2)m and sIL-2R values decreased in abstainers at the beginning of the treatment but rose in non-abstaining group. We conclude that cessation of illicit drug abuse and methadone treatment in HIV-infected injecting drug users may exert a beneficial effect on the immune status.