Chewing tobacco may lead to cancer risks and other illnesses.
Several species of bacteria found in smokeless tobacco products are raising health concerns.
Unlike cigarettes or rolling tobacco that is burnt and inhaled, these products are placed in the mouth in close contact with mucus membranes for some time so the nicotine is slowly released into the bloodstream.
But this process also allows germs to get into the body too.
The study by the US government's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found Bacillus licheniformis and Bacillus pumilus could potentially cause inflammation of the lungs, as well as opportunistic infections.
Research microbiologist Dr Steven Foley at the FDA's National Centre for Toxicological Research added other Bacillus species also present health concerns.
He said: "Some species have been identified as causative agents in spice-related outbreaks of diarrhoea and vomiting.
"Additionally, they produce a mild toxin which, in large quantities could cause illness."A further danger is that several species of Bacillus, as well as some Stapphylococccus epidermidis and Staphylococcus hominis strains can reduce nitrates to nitrites, which can potentially lead to formation of carcinogenic, tobacco-specific N'-nitrosamines within the tobacco products."
And as many users often have problems with gum disease and other oral health issues caused by the smokeless tobacco products, this allows bacteria to easily enter into the bloodstream.
Both species of Staphylococci found in these products have previously been reported to cause heart valve infection and being allowed to enter the blood increases the chance they could arrive at the heart.
An estimated 8 million people use smokeless tobacco products in the US.
Dr Foley added: "But there has been little data on the microbial populations that exist within these products.
"The study was undertaken to better understand the potential microbiological risks associated with the use of smokeless tobacco products, and to provide a baseline microbiological risk profile of these products.
"That data was designed to produce a microbiological baseline for smokeless tobacco products, and to lay a foundation for further studies to evaluate microbial risks of smokeless tobacco use, according to the report.
"This research will provide useful information regarding the FDA's regulatory decision making around smokeless tobacco products."
The study was published in the journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology.
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