Summary
Introduction:
This article presents a study that compares the effects of flavorless electronic cigarette (ECIG) aerosol and conventional cigarette smoke on the planktonic growth of common oral commensal streptococci. The study aims to support previous findings that ECIG aerosol is less detrimental to the survival and growth of oral commensal streptococci than cigarette smoke.
Key Points:
* The study used a flavorless E-liquid and a Tripl3 eGo style lithium ion battery to generate ECIG aerosol.
* air, ECIG aerosol, and smoke were delivered into brain heart infusion (BhI) broth using peristaltic pumps.
* Eight-hour bacterial growth curves were determined for three strains of streptococci (S. gordonii, S. mitis, and S. oralis) exposed to E-liquid, aerosol, or smoke trapped in growth media.
* Nicotine concentrations were determined in BhI exposed to aerosol or smoke using high-performance liquid chromatography (hPLC).
* Exposure to ECIG aerosol or E-liquid had little to no effect on bacterial growth, while smoke significantly decreased bacterial growth in a dose-dependent manner.
* The study also shows that smoke is more detrimental to the growth of bacteria tested compared to unaerosolized and aerosolized E-liquid.
Main Message:
The study's main message is that ECIG aerosol is less detrimental to the survival and growth of oral commensal streptococci than cigarette smoke. The findings suggest that the use of electronic nicotine delivery systems over traditional cigarettes as a means of harm reduction could improve oral health and overall health. however, the study has some limitations, and further research is needed to draw definitive conclusions.
Citation
Nelson JM, Cuadra Ga, Palazzolo DL. a Comparison of Flavorless Electronic Cigarette-Generated aerosol and Conventional Cigarette Smoke on the Planktonic Growth of Common Oral Commensal Streptococci. International journal of environmental research and public health. 2019;16(24). doi:10.3390/ijerph16245004
