Opportunistic Infections and Kaposi's Sarcoma in Homosexual Men

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Abstract
To the Editor: Although the effect of marijuana smoking on the immune system is controversial,1 , 2 iatrogenously induced depression of cell-mediated immunity by psychoactive and nonpsychoactive cannabinoids has been well documented experimentally in vitro3 , 4 and in vivo.5 , 6 Furthermore, marijuana smoke impairs host pulmonary antibacterial defenses to a greater extent than does tobacco smoke.7 Since marijuana is one of the most frequently (daily) used recreational drugs among young adults,8 it might be of interest to investigate systematically the frequency and duration of its use in young males presenting symptoms of immunologic incompetence, such as those described by Durack9 and by Gottlieb,10 Masur, . . .