Researchers have found that air pollution may increase the risk of serious illness caused by pneumococcal bacteria, but the level of risk and the timing of the onset of illness vary depending on the type of bacteria a person carries.
The study, conducted by researchers from the Wellcome Sanger Institute, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases in South Africa, and the Barcelona Center for Supercomputing, along with other research bodies, showed that some types of bacteria can cause serious infections shortly after exposure to air pollution, while other types need several weeks before the disease appears.
The researchers found that young children and the elderly are most susceptible to illness during periods of high air pollution levels, suggesting that improving air quality may help reduce the risk of these diseases.
Common bacteria that can cause serious illnesses
Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria live naturally in the nose and throat of many people, and about 20% of adults worldwide may carry it without showing symptoms.
However, it can cause invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) if it spreads to parts of the body where it is not normally found, such as the lower respiratory tract or bloodstream. This can lead to pneumonia, sepsis (blood poisoning), and meningitis.
There are more than 100 different serotypes of this bacterium, varying in their ability to cause disease. Researchers analyzed nearly 59,000 cases of invasive pneumococcal disease recorded in South Africa over a 19-year period.
Researchers found that certain serotypes respond differently to air pollution. Serotypes 14, 19A, and 8 were associated with the highest risk of developing the disease after exposure to pollution.
The timing of the increased risk also varied. While the risk generally peaked about two weeks after exposure to air pollution, an increase in risk appeared during the same week in areas where patterns 4, 8, 23F and 19F are prevalent.
The researchers also considered other factors, such as temperature, humidity, and population density. They found that higher temperatures were associated with an immediate increase in the risk of infection, while lower temperatures were associated with a delayed increase in the number of cases.
Researchers suggest that cold weather may affect the speed at which bacteria spread, or that infection with seasonal viruses may predispose the respiratory system to a subsequent bacterial infection.
Researchers believe that combining air quality monitoring with genomic surveillance of pneumococcal bacteria may help predict periods of high infection rates, guide vaccination strategies, and help hospitals better prepare.
Professor Rachel Lowe, co-lead author of the study, said that climate change and rapid urbanization are altering the environmental conditions that affect the risk of infectious diseases, stressing the importance of cooperation between different sectors to protect the most vulnerable groups.
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