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A rare form of pneumonia is one of the mysterious respiratory diseases that has affected 450 people in America, according to a new report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Health officials said they identified at least five patients in two hospitals in North Carolina between July and August 2019 who had developed acute adipose pneumonia.
Fat accumulation
All patients reported using marijuana-based electronic cigarettes. Pulmonary tests have shown an accumulation of fat, which has been associated with the use of electronic cigarettes in the past.
The report highlights some lung diseases that have spread to 33 states. The authors indicated that surveys were needed in other states to determine whether these cases had the same characteristics.
Inflammation of the mucosa
Acute lipid pneumonia occurs when small particles of fat or oil enter the lungs, causing endometritis. Some people have few or no symptoms, while others may have chest pain and cough.
As the signs are not specific, this can lead to a misdiagnosis, which can delay treatment. According to a 2003 study by the Albert Einstein School of Medicine and the Montefiore Medical Center in New York, this only affects 1% to 2.5% of the population.
Respiratory failure
The report states that all patients, aged 18 to 35, suffered from shortness of breath, nausea and vomiting for several days before being taken to the hospital. "Initially, all patients had been treated experimentally with antibiotics to treat pneumonia, but they had all worsened their respiratory failure within 48 hours," the report says.
After intravenous methylprednisone, which treats infections, the patients' condition has improved and they have been sent home with more prescription drugs.
The authors of the report say they believe that the diseases that affect these patients are caused by the smoke of electronic cigarettes.
"These five cases highlight the importance of awareness of a possible association between the use of marijuana oils or concentrates in e-cigarettes and lipid pneumonia," the researchers wrote.
450 cases of mysterious respiratory diseases
Recently, 450 people in 33 states and 8 districts have developed mysterious respiratory diseases suspected of being linked to the electronic cigarette.
In response to the outbreak, the US Food and Drug Administration has announced the ban on flavoring electronic cigarettes – other than tobacco – in stores.
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