Joanna Astrid Miler1, Peter Hajek2. 1. Wolfson Institute of Preventive Medicine, Queen Mary University of London, 2 Stayner's Road, London E1 4AH, United Kingdom; Mental Health and Wellbeing, Institute of Health and Wellbeing, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Gartnavel Royal Hospital, 1055 Great Western Rd, Glasgow G12 0XH, United Kingdom. Electronic address: joannaastridmiler@gmail.com. 2. Wolfson Institute of Preventive Medicine, Queen Mary University of London, 2 Stayner's Road, London E1 4AH, United Kingdom. Electronic address: p.hajek@qmul.ac.uk.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Evidence concerning the impact of vaping on respiratory infections remains contradictory. Cell and animal studies suggested that vaping may increase vulnerability to respiratory infections, but human data do not confirm this concern. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of a never-smoker who became a vaper and after a few months of e-cigarette use experienced a complete resolution of chronic tonsillitis and a marked improvement in tonsilloliths. CONCLUSIONS: As this is a never-smoker, the improvements cannot be attributed to smoking cessation. One possible explanation is that the improvement was due to antimicrobial properties of propylene glycol. The hypothesis could be tested by a trial of zero-nicotine e-cigarettes in patients with recurrent bacterial throat infection.
BACKGROUND: Evidence concerning the impact of vaping on respiratory infections remains contradictory. Cell and animal studies suggested that vaping may increase vulnerability to respiratory infections, but human data do not confirm this concern. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of a never-smoker who became a vaper and after a few months of e-cigarette use experienced a complete resolution of chronic tonsillitis and a marked improvement in tonsilloliths. CONCLUSIONS: As this is a never-smoker, the improvements cannot be attributed to smoking cessation. One possible explanation is that the improvement was due to antimicrobial properties of propylene glycol. The hypothesis could be tested by a trial of zero-nicotine e-cigarettes in patients with recurrent bacterial throat infection.
Authors: Anna Tzortzi; Melpo Kapetanstrataki; Vaso Evangelopoulou; Panagiotis Beghrakis Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-03-27 Impact factor: 3.390