Alcoholics at risk of infection after heart surgery

... NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Patients with long-standing alcoholism who undergo heart surgery are four times more likely to acquire an infection after the operation than their non-alcoholic peers, according to a new report. The results suggest that the elevated risk may be associated with increased levels of two immune factors -- interleukin-10, an anti-inflammation protein, and cortisol, a steroid hormone. ...