Surface changes of the erythrocytes membrane in alcoholics--a study of lectin binding.

Erythrocytes from 30 alcoholic patients as well as age and sex matched healthy control were examined, for hemagglutination titre, against, a purified galactose specific lectin from the latex of Pedilanthus tithymalodies. Mean hemagglutinin titre was significantly elevated (P < 0.001) in alcoholics as compared to controls. The results indicate that alcohol abuse is associated with adoptive cell surface changes on erythrocytes, measurable by its lectin binding capacity.