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Recent research has uncovered alarming evidence that e-cigarette use disrupts the delicate balance of the nasal microbiome, potentially increasing the risk of respiratory diseases. The nose, far from being merely a tool for smell, plays a crucial role as the first line of defense in the respiratory tract, filtering out harmful pathogens before they can reach the lungs. However, a study led by Elise Hickman, Ph.D., reveals that this vital function can be compromised by vaping, leading to an imbalance in the nasal microbiome—a condition known as dysbiosis.
The study, published in Nicotine and Tobacco Research, was conducted at the University of North Carolina (UNC) School of Medicine, where Hickman was a student in the lab of Ilona Jaspers, Ph.D., a leading inhalation toxicologist and the director of the UNC Center for Environmental Medicine, Asthma, and Lung Biology. The research focused on understanding the effects of e-cigarettes and traditional cigarettes on the nasal microbiome, which is composed of various bacterial, fungal, and viral colonies that maintain respiratory health.
“We found that the composition of the nasal microbiome varies depending on sex, e-cigarette versus cigarette use, and levels of a nicotine biomarker in the blood,” said Hickman, now a postdoctoral researcher at UNC’s Gillings School of Global Public Health. “Our findings warrant further investigation into why and how e-cigarette use dysregulates the immune system in the nasal microbiome and causes an imbalance in the respiratory microbiome.”
Hickman and her team, including researchers from the Marsico Lung Institute/UNC Cystic Fibrosis Center, collected nasal fluid samples from 67 participants—20 non-smokers, 28 e-cigarette users, and 19 smokers. They used genetic sequencing to analyze the bacterial composition of these samples, identifying significant differences between the groups. Notably, Staphylococcus aureus, a bacterium known for causing severe infections like pneumonia, was more prevalent in both e-cigarette users and smokers compared to non-smokers. In contrast, Lactobacillus iners, a beneficial bacterium that helps protect against respiratory diseases, was found more frequently in smokers than in non-smokers.
The study also revealed surprising gender-specific differences in the nasal microbiomes of e-cigarette users. Additionally, variations were observed based on the levels of cotinine, a nicotine metabolite, indicating different degrees of immune response dysregulation among individuals.
“Taken together, our data identified unique, sex-dependent host immune dysfunction associated with e-cigarette use in the nasal mucosa,” said Jaspers, who is also a member of the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center. The findings add to the growing body of research highlighting the potential respiratory health risks associated with e-cigarette use.
This research underscores the importance of considering the health implications of vaping, particularly as dysbiosis in the nasal microbiome could predispose individuals to serious respiratory conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. As the scientific community continues to explore the full extent of e-cigarette use on human health, this study serves as a critical reminder of the potential dangers posed by vaping.
For more detailed information, refer to the original study by Elise Hickman et al., “E-Cigarette Use, Cigarette Smoking, and Sex Are Associated With Nasal Microbiome Dysbiosis,” published in Nicotine and Tobacco Research (2024). DOI: 10.1093/ntr/ntae176.
