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Adverse effects of electronic cigarettes on the disease-naive oral microbiome
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Adverse effects of electronic cigarettes on the disease-naive oral microbiome

Sukirth M Ganesan, Shareef M Dabdoub, Haikady N Nagaraja, Michelle L Scott, Surya Pamulapati, Micah L Berman, Peter G Shields, Mary Ellen Wewers and Purnima S Kumar
Science advances, Vol.6(22), pp.eaaz0108-eaaz0108
05/2020
DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aaz0108
PMCID: PMC7253170
PMID: 32518820
url
https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aaz0108View
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

Six percent of Americans, including 3 million high schoolers, use e-cigarettes, which contain potentially toxic substances, volatile organic compounds, and metals. We present the first human study on the effects of e-cigarette exposure in the oral cavity. By interrogating both immunoinflammatory responses and microbial functional dynamics, we discovered pathogen overrepresentation, higher virulence signatures, and a brisk proinflammatory signal in clinically healthy e-cigarette users, equivalent to patients with severe periodontitis. Using RNA sequencing and confocal and electron microscopy to validate these findings, we demonstrate that the carbon-rich glycol/glycerol vehicle is an important catalyst in transforming biofilm architecture within 24 hours of exposure. Last, a machine-learning classifier trained on the metagenomic signatures of e-cigarettes identified as e-cigarette users both those individuals who used e-cigarettes to quit smoking, and those who use both e-cigarettes and cigarettes. The present study questions the safety of e-cigarettes and the harm reduction narrative promoted by advertising campaigns.
 Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems Humans Microbiota Smoking Tobacco Products - adverse effects United States Volatile Organic Compounds

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