Effect of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol on mitogenic and antigenic stimulation of lymphoid cells from inbred hamsters infected with Treponema pallidum subsp. pallidum.

Abstract

The currently increased incidence of syphilis appears to be associated with drug abuse in adults and, when congenital syphilis occurs, with a lack of prenatal care in drug-abusing, pregnant women. Advances in understanding of the immune response to Treponema pallidum subsp. pallidum (T. pallidum hereafter), the etiologic agent of syphilis, and in identification of protective, treponemal immunogens suggest that a vaccine may become available for prevention of syphilis. Therefore, it would be of value to know whether the population at highest risk is capable of responding immunologically to T. pallidum.