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Podcasts Take Two
Study finds e-cigarettes increase superbug resistance
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May 19, 2014
Listen • 4:45
Study finds e-cigarettes increase superbug resistance
A new study suggests that e-cigarette vapor makes drug-resistant bacteria, like MRSA, harder to kill and also reduces the immune system's ability to fight infection.
This September 25, 2013 photo illustration taken in Washington, DC, shows a woman smoking an 'Blu' e-cigarette. In Los Angeles Wednesday, the city council voted unanimously to regulate them much the same way as tobacco products.
A woman smoking an 'Blu' e-cigarette. A new study suggests that e-cigarette vapor makes drug-resistant bacteria, like MRSA, harder to kill and also reduces the immune system's ability to fight infection.
(
Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images
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A new study suggests that e-cigarette vapor makes drug-resistant bacteria, like MRSA, harder to kill and also reduces the immune system's ability to fight infection.

The effects of e-cigarettes on users' health have been up for debate for some time now. Now a new study from UC San Diego and researchers from the Department of Veterans Affairs suggests e-cigarette vapor makes drug-resistant bacteria, like MRSA, harder to kill. Another worrisome finding of the study is that e-cigarette vapor could also impair the immune system's ability to fight infection.

The results of the study were released yesterday at the American Thoracic Society's international conference in San Diego.

Dr. Laura Crotty Alexander is a UC San Diego assistant clinical professor of medicine and staff physician at VA San Diego Healthcare System. She led the study and joined Take Two to discuss the  findings.

For more, please click on the "listen now" button when the audio is posted.