Impact of temperature relative humidity and absolute humidity on the incidence of hospitalizations for lower respiratory tract infections due to influenza, rhinovirus, and respiratory syncytial virus: results from Community-Acquired Pneumonia Organization (CAPO) International Cohort Study.

Authors:
  • WMWilliam A. Mattingly
    William A. Mattingly
  • SFStephen P. Furmanek
    Stephen P. Furmanek
  • BGBrian E. Guinn
    Brian E. Guinn
  • CEConnor L. English
    Connor L. English
  • RCRuth Carrico
    Ruth Carrico
  • PPPaula Peyrani
    Paula Peyrani
  • JRJulio A. Ramirez
    Julio A. Ramirez
Open Access
Publisher website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Background: Transmissibility of several etiologies of lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) may vary based on outdoor climate factors. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of outdoor temperature, relative humidity, and absolute humidity on the incidence of hospitalizations for lower respiratory tract infections due to influenza, rhinovirus, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Methods: This was a secondary analysis of an ancillary study of the Community Acquired Pneumonia Organization (CAPO) database. Respiratory viruses were detected using the Luminex xTAG respiratory viral panel. Climate factors were obtained from the National Weather Service. Adjusted Poisson regression models with robust error variance were used to model the incidence of hospitalization with a LRTI due to: 1) influenza, 2) rhinovirus, and 3) RSV (A and/or B), separately. Results: A total of 467 hospitalized patients with LRTI were included in the study; 135 (29%) with influenza, 41 (9%) with rhinovirus, and 27 (6%) with RSV (20 RSV A, 7 RSV B). The average, minimum, and maximum absolute humidity and temperatur e variables were associated with hospitalization due to influenza LRTI, while the relative humidity variables were not. None of the climate variables were associated with hospitalization due to rhinovirus or RSV. Conclusions: This study suggests that outdoor absolute humidity and temperature are associated with hospitalizations due to influenza LRTIs, but not with LRTIs due to rhinovirus or RSV. Understanding factors contributing to the transmission of respiratory viruses may assist in the prediction of future outbreaks and facilitate the development of transmission prevention interventions.

This publication has 49 references indexed in Scilit: