Cigarette Smoke Lowers Immunity by Increasing Resistance in Mouth Dwelling Bacteria

Cigarette smoke has been proven time and again to be injurious for health in a number of ways. In one of the latest researches, the chemicals present within the cigarette smoke have been shown to lower the immunity by prompting the growth and multiplication of the bacteria residing in the oral cavity. 

This study was carried out at the University Of Louisville School Of Dentistry and was led by David Scott. The primary result of the study was that the colonization and increase in the resilience of bacteria in the mouth increases upon exposure to cigarette smoke. The study was specifically aimed at studying the growth patterns of biofilms- a complex and intricately connected entity of different species of bacteria living and working together.

The researchers found that the growth of certain specific bacteria was affected more by the cigarette smoke as compared to others, including Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans, Klebsiella pneumonia, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. These bacteria give rise to conditions such as skin infections, oral diseases, vaginosis and pneumonia etc. 

Cigarette Smoke Promotes Bacterial Colonization and Resistance 

A lot of plausible explanations exist to support the exact mechanisms by which smoking weakens the immune system. However, very little data is available to shed light on the process by which the chemicals in cigarette smoke alter the bacterial growth pattern and build resilience in them. 

Very few previous researches explain the underlying association between smoking and enhanced bacterial resistance. Last year, the scientists discovered an unusual phenomenon that cigarette smoke leads to superbug development. In the start of the year 2016, another discovery was made which showed that cigarette smoke causes changes in the oral flora. This study is, however, the first of its kind to explore the effects of smoking on bacteria at a community level (biofilms). 

The study has established that killing of the bacteria in mouth is becoming steadily difficult as a result of buildup of resistance in bacterial biofilms. Overcoming a biofilm is particularly difficult because the biofilm works as a physical barrier against the immune responses and provides a sound niche for the spread of infections. 

During the course of the study, it was observed that bacteria increased their resistance to host immune system by altering specific genes and through protein expression. This led to increase in bacterial growth, causing the bacteria to colonize the oral cavity. These genetic changes were also found to be responsible for increased resilience of bacteria. 

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This study has paved way for further investigation into different kinds of mechanisms by which smoking can directly lead to various sorts of diseases. The recommendations put forward by the researchers include quitting smoking in order to prevent the mouth bacteria from becoming strong enough and resilient enough to cause diseases. 

This study might prove to be the stepping stone for building new treatment models for complex biofilms not only for the single species but also for multi-specie biofilms. With more complex bacterial biofilms being discovered every day, there is still a long way to go before precise treatments for the management of biofilm induced diseases can be formulated.