The effect of cigarette smoke on adherence of respiratory pathogens to buccal epithelial cells

Abstract

Smoking is associated with an increased risk of respiratory tract infection in adults. In children, exposure to cigarette smoke is a risk factor for respiratory tract infection and bacterial meningitis: Active smoking and passive exposure to cigarette smoke is also associated with carriage of some potentially pathogenic species of bacteria in both adults and children. The aims of the study were to determine the effect of active smoking on: (1) bacterial binding to epithelial cells; (2) expression of host cell antigens that act as receptors for some species; and (3) the effects of passive exposure to water-soluble components of cigarette smoke on bacterial binding. Flow cytometry was used to assess binding to buccal epithelial cells of the following species labelled with fluorescein isothiocyanate: Neisseria meningitidis, Neisseria lactamica, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Bordetella pertussis, Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, Staphylococcus aureus. Flow cytometry was also used to assess expression of host cell antigens which have been identified as bacterial receptors. For each species, binding to cells of smokers was significantly higher than to cells of non-smokers; however, expression of host cell antigens was similar on epithelial cells of both groups. Non-dilute cigarette smoke extract reduced binding of bacteria to epithelial cells, but dilutions between 1 in 10 and 1 in 320 enhanced binding. We conclude that smokers might be more densely colonised by a variety of potentially pathogenic bacteria. The enhanced bacterial binding to epithelial cells of smokers is not related to enhanced expression of host cell antigens that can act as receptors for some species, but possibly to components in the smoke that alter charge or other properties of the epithelial cell surface. Passive coating of mucosal surfaces with components of cigarette smoke might enhance binding of potentially pathogenic bacteria.

Adverse health effects of prenatal and postnatal tobacco smoke exposure on children

“…50 51 This could possibly be the result of a direct effect of cigarette smoke on host defences since smoking is negatively associated with cell mediated and humoral immunity, and smoking increases bacterial adherence and the risk of inflammation and other infections. [52][53][54][55] The observation that smokers are more likely to be carriers of meningococci is consistent with the increased risk of invasive meningococcal disease. 56 Middle ear disease and adenotonsillectomy in children In a systematic quantitative review, Strachan and Cook concluded that there is probably a causal relation between parental smoking and both acute and chronic middle ear disease in children.…”

Developmental Profiles of Mucosal Immunity in Pre‐school Children

“…Exposure to cigarette smoke has been associated with abnormal mucosal development in children [66]; mucosal immune dysregulation in infants [67]; airway irritation that can result in local epithelial damage [68, 69]; airway inflammation which can adversely affect mucocilliary clearance [69, 70]; increased risk of carriage of potentially pathogenic bacteria [71] and dental caries [72] in children. Higher mucosal IgA levels in the infants of smokers have been attributed to more chronic upper RT symptoms [32, 33] which may be associated with increased adherence of respiratory pathogens to buccal epithelial cells [73]. In our study cohort, exposure to ETS was associated with elevated salivary IgA and IgG concentrations.…”

Limited impact of neonatal or early infant schedules of 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccination on nasopharyngeal carriage of Streptococcus pneumoniae in Papua New Guinean children: A randomized controlled trial

“…It is common for a family, often including members of the extended family, to live together in a traditional highland house, which typically comprises just one communal room with smoke from a wood fire in the centre of the room [27]. Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke and wood smoke from burning biomass fuel, a popular form of fuel for cooking due to its affordability, may also contribute to high carriage rates by enhancing nasopharyngeal colonization [28], [29]. In an indoor air pollution study, Kirarock recorded significantly higher levels of coarse particulate matter (PM 10 ) released from burning of biofuel in traditional highland houses than in semi-permanent and permanent houses [27].…”