Vaping-Induced Lung Injury With Superimposed Mycoplasma Pneumonia Leading to Acute Respiratory Failure

Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) contain solvents, nicotine, and other chemicals which are vaporized with heat and inhaled into the lungs during a process known as vaping. Vaping has significantly increased in popularity in the US, especially among youth and young adults. E-cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung injury (EVALI) is a syndrome of lung disease associated with vaping or e-cigarette products--which is well discussed in the current medical literature. However, the mechanisms by which lung injury occurs remain to be fully understood. We hypothesize that vaping damages lung defenses, allowing bacterial or viral organisms to infect the lungs and further exacerbate lung function. Furthermore, chemicals found in e-cigarettes alter lung structures, leading to an exaggerated response to an infectious insult. A combination of these two mechanisms may lead to acute respiratory failure. Here we discuss a case report about a 27-year-old patient who presented with acute respiratory failure due to vaping-induced lung injury with superimposed mycoplasma pneumonia.