Respiratory syncytial virus infection in infants and correlation with meteorological factors and air pollutants

Abstract

BackgroundRespiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is the most important cause of severe respiratory infections in infants with seasonal epidemics. Environmental factors (temperature, humidity, air pollution) could influence RSV epidemics through their effects on virus activity and diffusion.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective study on a paediatric population who referred to our Paediatric Emergency Unit in order to analyze the correlation between weekly incidence of RSV positive cases during winter season in Bologna and meteorological factors and air pollutants concentration.ResultsWe observed a significant correlation between the incidence of RSV infections and the mean minimum temperature registered during the same week and the previous weeks.The weekly number of RSV positive cases was also correlated to the mean PM10 concentration of the week before.ConclusionsRSV epidemic trend in Bologna (Italy) is related to the mean minimum temperature, and the mean PM10 concentration.

14th congress of combustion by-products and their health effects—origin, fate, and health effects of combustion-related air pollutants in the coming era of bio-based energy sources

“…Research into combustion-related exposure complements the strategic plan (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 2012), which includes a global environmental health initiative and a strong focus on understanding and addressing health disparities (Figure 3). The session continued by addressing the respiratory effects of exposure to elevated levels of particulate matter, which has been associated with increased frequency and severity of lower respiratory tract infections (Vandini et al 2013). Currently there is a critical gap in scientific understanding of how such exposure causes infection of the lower respiratory tract.…”

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