Compositional Differences in the Oral Microbiome of E-cigarette Users

Abstract

Electronic (e)-cigarettes have been advocated as a safer alternative to conventional tobacco cigarettes. However, there is a paucity of data regarding the impact of e-cigarette aerosol deposition on the human oral microbiome, a key component in human health and disease. We aimed to fill this knowledge gap through a comparative analysis of the microbial community profiles from e-cigarette users and healthy controls [non-smokers/non-vapers (NSNV)]. Moreover, we sought to determine whether e-cigarette aerosol exposure from vaping induces persistent changes in the oral microbiome. To accomplish this, salivary and buccal mucosa samples were collected from e-cigarette users and NSNV controls, with additional oral samples collected from e-cigarette users after 2 weeks of decreased use. Total DNA was extracted from all samples and subjected to PCR amplification and sequencing of the V3-V4 hypervariable regions of the 16S rRNA gene. Our analysis revealed several prominent differences associated with vaping, specific to the sample type (i.e., saliva and buccal). In the saliva, e-cigarette users had a significantly higher alpha diversity, observed operational taxonomic units (OTUs) and Faith’s phylogenetic diversity (PD) compared to NSNV controls, which declined with decreased vaping. The buccal mucosa swab samples were marked by a significant shift in beta diversity between e-cigarette users and NSNV controls. There were also significant differences in the relative abundance of several bacterial taxa, with a significant increase in Veillonella and Haemophilus in e-cigarette users. In addition, nasal swabs demonstrated a trend toward higher colonization rates with Staphylococcus aureus in e-cigarette users relative to controls (19 vs. 7.1%; p = n.s.). Overall, these data reveal several notable differences in the oral bacterial community composition and diversity in e-cigarette users as compared to NSNV controls.

Electronic Cigarette Use Promotes a Unique Periodontal Microbiome

“…Conventional cigarette smoking is a risk factor for periodontitis, causing detrimental changes in the composition of the oral microbiome, promoting an inflammatory response, inhibiting the immune system, and promoting bone loss ( 31 – 34 ). Unlike for conventional cigarette use, the effects of e-cig use on subgingival microbial community composition and diseases are underinvestigated ( 5 , 6 , 35 – 37 ). Previously we have shown in a cross-sectional study using saliva samples that e-cig aerosol can alter the salivary microbiome and host inflammatory response ( 6 ).…”

Recent Advances in Understanding the Structure and Function of the Human Microbiome

“…These chemicals affect the microbiome composition increasing susceptibility to various diseases such as infections and inflammatory disorders (Rogers et al, 2012;Lee et al, 2018). Even E-cigarette significantly alter the oral microbiome with the increase in Veillonella and Haemophilus (Chopyk et al, 2021;Lau et al, 2021). Interestingly, the nose of smokers shows a higher colonization rate with Staphylococcus aureus in E-cigarette smokers (Chopyk et al, 2021;Lau et al, 2021).…”

“…Even E-cigarette significantly alter the oral microbiome with the increase in Veillonella and Haemophilus (Chopyk et al, 2021;Lau et al, 2021). Interestingly, the nose of smokers shows a higher colonization rate with Staphylococcus aureus in E-cigarette smokers (Chopyk et al, 2021;Lau et al, 2021). The gut microbiome of smokers is enriched in Bacteroides and depleted in Firmicutes and Proteobacteria when compared to non-smokers and past smokers (Lee et al, 2018).…”

The Effects of E-Cigarette Aerosol on Oral Cavity Cells and Tissues: A Narrative Review

“…The most abundant bacteria genera in buccal samples was Streptococcus in both e-cigarette users and non-smoking/non-vaping, whereas Prevotella was the most abundant in the saliva samples also for both tested groups. When cohorts in aggregate were tested, the buccal samples of e-cigarette users were rich in Veillonella and Haemophilus species [67].…”