Despite its touted benefits, what high risk behavior may lead to suppressed host-defense functions in the context of respiratory viral infections?
Electronic cigarettes
A recent study comparing nonsmokers, cigarette smokers and e-cigarette smokers concluded e-cigarette use altered nasal live-attenuated influenza virus (LAIV)-induced immune responses, including gene expression, cytokine and chemokine release, and LAIV-specific IgA levels. In addition, e-cigarette use was associated with a greater number of immune-gene expression changes than cigarette smoking when compared with nonsmokers in response to LAIV.
Rebuli ME, Glista-Baker E, Hoffman JR ,et al. Electronic-Cigarette Use Alters Nasal Mucosal Immune Response to Live-attenuated Influenza Virus. American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology. 2021; 64: 126-137
Submitted by: Jennifer Sample, MD, FAACT