Vaping Induce Pneumonitis: Missed in Pandemic

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a newly emergent coronavirus, that was first recognized in Wuhan, Hubei province, China, in December 2019. SARS-CoV-2 is a positive-sense singlestranded RNA virus that is contagious in humans. E-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury (EVALI) is a type of acute lung injury of unclear pathogenesis. The two pathologies present with overlapping clinical symptoms, and imaging, making them difficult to distinguish, especially in global COVID-19 pandemic. Case report 27-year-old female with past medical history of IBS, Diverticulitis, and anxiety presented with cough, shortness of breath, fever and fatigue. She also reported headaches and abdominal pain, she denies sick contact and recent travel but admit that she uses E cigarette more than usual due to anxiety attack. Patients initially discharge from ED but subsequently admit to hospital for worsening of symptoms possible COVID pneumonia vs community acquired pneumonia. She was persistently hypoxic and transfer to ICU for acute hypoxic respiratory failure. Labs was significant for elevated WBC while serum chemistries were unremarkable, Chest x-ray was not significant for any acute pathology. CT scan show revealed parenchymal changes consistent with bilateral upper and lower lobe ground-glass opacities. No septal change was noted, helping us rule out causes such as organizing pneumonia, lipoid pneumonia, and diffuse alveolar damage. Extensive testing for viral and bacterial infections was all negative. she has Covid19 PCR negative twice. Bronchoalveolar lavage testing was not done as patient refuse for invasive intervention. Patient started on steroids. Discussion: EVALI is thought to be a type of acute lung injury with an unknown pathogenesis. E-cigarette use, especially those containing THC and/or vitamin E acetate, is a key risk factor for developing the disease process. COVID 19 pneumonitis and EVALI have same clinical presentation, laboratory studies and images, and make challenge for physician to differentiate both pathologies. Both disease present with similar initial symptoms, including cough, shortness of breath, fevers, vomiting, diarrhea and headache. Similarly, laboratory studies may be unremarkable or elevated in both presentations and do not help distinguish between them. Furthermore, Chest X-ray and CT have very similar findings in both presentations, including diffuse hazy or consolidative opacities and ground-glass opacities, respectively. As well, both COVID-19 and EVALI are associated with worse outcomes in older adults or those with underlying chronic conditions, including cardiac and pulmonary disease.