INDUCTION OF ANTIBODIES TO MORPHINE DURING CHRONIC MORPHINE TREATMENTIN RODENTS AND OPIATE ADDICTS

The phenomenon of induction of antibodies to morphine in morphine-trea ted animals and opiate addicts was shown by means of ELISA. The reacti on of the immune system to injections of a morphine solution had the c haracteristics of a primary immune response. Opiate addicts differed f rom normal controls in the level of antibodies to morphine of IgM clas s. Elevated levels of such antibodies could be detected in about 70 - 80% of addicts with regular longterm opiate use when the time since th e last drug intake did not exceed 60 days. Antibodies to morphine coul d serve as indicators of chronic opiate use especially in periods long after the last drug intake.