Case report of electronic cigarettes possibly associated with eosinophilic pneumonitis in a previously healthy active-duty sailor.
BACKGROUND
Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are a technology that has been touted as a safe and effective alternative to traditional cigarettes. There is, however, a paucity of literature showing the adverse outcomes of e-cigarettes and a correlation with acute eosinophilic pneumonia (AEP).


OBJECTIVE
To present a possible association between e-cigarettes and AEP.


METHODS
A 20-year-old previously healthy man was found to develop AEP after smoking an e-cigarette. He was treated with antibiotics and steroids and his symptoms improved.


CONCLUSIONS
Though an alternative to traditional cigarettes, e-cigarettes can have unpredictable and potentially serious adverse effects. More research needs to be conducted to determine their safety. If seeing a patient in the ED with pulmonary symptoms after use of e-cigarettes, AEP should be considered in the differential.
Emergency Department, Naval Medical Center San Diego, San Diego, California.
Darshan
D
Thota
Emergency Department, Naval Medical Center San Diego, San Diego, California.
Emi
E
Latham
D003371:Cough / Q000209:etiology; D004414:Dyspareunia / Q000209:etiology; D066300:Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel; D009326:Naval Medicine; D011657:Pulmonary Eosinophilia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D055815:Young Adult
cigarette; electronic; eosinophilic; pneumonitis; smoking