Review
Tobacco use increases susceptibility to bacterial infection
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* Corresponding author: David A Scott dascot07@louisville.edu
1 Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
2 Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
3 Oral Health and Systemic Disease Research Group, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
Tobacco Induced Diseases 2008, 4:12 doi:10.1186/1617-9625-4-12
Published: 18 December 2008Abstract
Active smokers and those exposed to secondhand smoke are at increased risk of bacterial infection. Tobacco smoke exposure increases susceptibility to respiratory tract infections, including tuberculosis, pneumonia and Legionnaires disease; bacterial vaginosis and sexually transmitted diseases, such as chlamydia and gonorrhoea; Helicobacter pylori infection; periodontitis; meningitis; otitis media; and post-surgical and nosocomial infections. Tobacco smoke compromises the anti-bacterial function of leukocytes, including neutrophils, monocytes, T cells and B cells, providing a mechanistic explanation for increased infection risk. Further epidemiological, clinical and mechanistic research into this important area is warranted.