51
|
Anand U, Adelodun B, Pivato A, Suresh S, Indari O, Jakhmola S, Jha HC, Jha PK, Tripathi V, Di Maria F. A review of the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater and airborne particulates and its use for virus spreading surveillance. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 196:110929. [PMID: 33640498 PMCID: PMC7906514 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.110929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Revised: 02/20/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
According to the WHO, on October 16, 2020, the spreading of the SARS-CoV-2, responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, reached 235 countries and territories, and resulting in more than 39 million confirmed cases and 1.09 million deaths globally. Monitoring of the virus outbreak is one of the main activities pursued to limiting the number of infected people and decreasing the number of deaths that have caused high pressure on the health care, social, and economic systems of different countries. Wastewater based epidemiology (WBE), already adopted for the surveillance of life style and health conditions of communities, shows interesting features for the monitoring of the COVID-19 diffusion. Together with wastewater, the analysis of airborne particles has been recently suggested as another useful tool for detecting the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in given areas. The present review reports the status of research currently performed concerning the monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 spreading by WBE and airborne particles. The former have been more investigated, whereas the latter is still at a very early stage, with a limited number of very recent studies. Nevertheless, the main results highlights in both cases necessitate more research activity for better understating and defining the biomarkers and the related sampling and analysis procedures to be used for this important aim.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Uttpal Anand
- Department of Life Sciences, National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, 84105, Israel
| | - Bashir Adelodun
- Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, University of Ilorin, PMB 1515, Ilorin, Nigeria; Department of Agricultural Civil Engineering, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Alberto Pivato
- DICEA - Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 9, 35131, Padova, Italy
| | - S Suresh
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology, Bhopal, 462 003, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Omkar Indari
- Discipline of Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, 453552, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Shweta Jakhmola
- Discipline of Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, 453552, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Hem Chandra Jha
- Discipline of Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, 453552, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Pawan Kumar Jha
- Centre for Environmental Studies, University of Allahabad, Prayagraj, 211002, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Vijay Tripathi
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Engineering, Jacob Institute of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj, 211007, Uttar Pradesh, India.
| | - Francesco Di Maria
- LAR(5) Laboratory - Dipartimento di Ingegneria - University of Perugia, via G. Duranti 93, 06125, Perugia, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
52
|
Vehicle emissions-exposure alters expression of systemic and tissue-specific components of the renin-angiotensin system and promotes outcomes associated with cardiovascular disease and obesity in wild-type C57BL/6 male mice. Toxicol Rep 2021; 8:846-862. [PMID: 33948438 PMCID: PMC8080412 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxrep.2021.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Revised: 04/03/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Vehicle emission-exposure increases systemic and adipose renin-angiotensin signaling. Emission-exposure promotes renal, vascular, and adipocyte AT1 receptor expression. Diet and emission-exposure are associated with adipocyte hypertrophy and weight gain. Emission-exposure promotes expression of adipokines and adipose inflammatory factors. High-fat diet promotes an obese adipose phenotype, exacerbated by emission-exposure.
Exposure to air pollution from traffic-generated sources is known to contribute to the etiology of inflammatory diseases, including cardiovascular disease (CVD) and obesity; however, the signaling pathways involved are still under investigation. Dysregulation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) can contribute to CVD and alter lipid storage and inflammation in adipose tissue. Our previous exposure studies revealed that traffic-generated emissions increase RAS signaling, further exacerbated by a high-fat diet. Thus, we investigated the hypothesis that exposure to engine emissions increases systemic and local adipocyte RAS signaling, promoting the expression of factors involved in CVD and obesity. Male C57BL/6 mice (6–8 wk old) were fed either a high-fat (HF, n = 16) or low-fat (LF, n = 16) diet, beginning 30d prior to exposures, and then exposed via inhalation to either filtered air (FA, controls) or a mixture of diesel engine + gasoline engine vehicle emissions (MVE: 100 μg PM/m3) via whole-body inhalation for 6 h/d, 7 d/wk, 30d. Endpoints were assessed via immunofluorescence and RT-qPCR. MVE-exposure promoted vascular adhesion factors (VCAM-1, ICAM-1) expression, monocyte/macrophage sequestration, and oxidative stress in the vasculature, associated with increased angiotensin II receptor type 1 (AT1) expression. In the kidney, MVE-exposure promoted the expression of renin, AT1, and AT2 receptors. In adipose tissue, both HF-diet and MVE-exposure mediated increased epididymal fat pad weight and adipocyte hypertrophy, associated with increased angiotensinogen and AT1 receptor expression; however, these outcomes were further exacerbated in the MVE + HF group. MVE-exposure also induced inflammation, monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1, and leptin, while reducing insulin receptor and glucose transporter, GLUT4, expression in adipose tissue. Our results indicate that MVE-exposure promotes systemic and local adipose RAS signaling, associated with increased expression of factors contributing to CVD and obesity, further exacerbated by HF diet consumption.
Collapse
Key Words
- ACE, angiotensin converting enzyme
- AGT, angiotensinogen
- AT1, angiotensin II receptor subtype 1
- AT2, angiotensin II receptor subtype 2
- Adipose
- Air pollution
- Ang II, angiotensin II
- CVD
- CVD, cardiovascular disease
- DHE, dihydroethidium
- FA, filtered air (controls)
- GLUT-4, glucose transporter type 4
- HF, high-fat diet
- ICAM-1, intracellular adhesion molecule-1
- IL-6, interleukin-6
- IL-β, interleukin beta
- IR, insulin receptor
- LDL, low density lipoprotein
- LF, low-fat diet
- LOX-1, lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor
- MCP-1, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1
- MOMA-2, anti-monocyte + macrophage antibody
- MVE, mixed gasoline and diesel vehicle emissions
- Obesity
- PM, particulate matter
- RAS, renin-angiotensin system
- ROS, reactive oxygen species
- Renin-angiotensin system
- T2D, type 2 diabetes
- TNF-α, tumor necrosis factor alpha
- VCAM-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1
- vWF, Von Willebrand factor
Collapse
|
53
|
Katoto PDMC, Brand AS, Bakan B, Obadia PM, Kuhangana C, Kayembe-Kitenge T, Kitenge JP, Nkulu CBL, Vanoirbeek J, Nawrot TS, Hoet P, Nemery B. Acute and chronic exposure to air pollution in relation with incidence, prevalence, severity and mortality of COVID-19: a rapid systematic review. Environ Health 2021; 20:41. [PMID: 33838685 PMCID: PMC8035877 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-021-00714-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Air pollution is one of the world's leading mortality risk factors contributing to seven million deaths annually. COVID-19 pandemic has claimed about one million deaths in less than a year. However, it is unclear whether exposure to acute and chronic air pollution influences the COVID-19 epidemiologic curve. METHODS We searched for relevant studies listed in six electronic databases between December 2019 and September 2020. We applied no language or publication status limits. Studies presented as original articles, studies that assessed risk, incidence, prevalence, or lethality of COVID-19 in relation with exposure to either short-term or long-term exposure to ambient air pollution were included. All patients regardless of age, sex and location diagnosed as having COVID-19 of any severity were taken into consideration. We synthesised results using harvest plots based on effect direction. RESULTS Included studies were cross-sectional (n = 10), retrospective cohorts (n = 9), ecological (n = 6 of which two were time-series) and hypothesis (n = 1). Of these studies, 52 and 48% assessed the effect of short-term and long-term pollutant exposure, respectively and one evaluated both. Pollutants mostly studied were PM2.5 (64%), NO2 (50%), PM10 (43%) and O3 (29%) for acute effects and PM2.5 (85%), NO2 (39%) and O3 (23%) then PM10 (15%) for chronic effects. Most assessed COVID-19 outcomes were incidence and mortality rate. Acutely, pollutants independently associated with COVID-19 incidence and mortality were first PM2.5 then PM10, NO2 and O3 (only for incident cases). Chronically, similar relationships were found for PM2.5 and NO2. High overall risk of bias judgments (86 and 39% in short-term and long-term exposure studies, respectively) was predominantly due to a failure to adjust aggregated data for important confounders, and to a lesser extent because of a lack of comparative analysis. CONCLUSION The body of evidence indicates that both acute and chronic exposure to air pollution can affect COVID-19 epidemiology. The evidence is unclear for acute exposure due to a higher level of bias in existing studies as compared to moderate evidence with chronic exposure. Public health interventions that help minimize anthropogenic pollutant source and socio-economic injustice/disparities may reduce the planetary threat posed by both COVID-19 and air pollution pandemics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patrick D. M. C. Katoto
- Department of Medicine and Centre for Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Francie van Zijl Drive, Tygerberg, Cape Town, 7505 South Africa
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Respiratory Medicine & Centre for Global Health and Tropical Diseases, Catholic University of Bukavu, Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Amanda S. Brand
- Centre for Evidence-Based Health Care, Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Department of Global Health, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Buket Bakan
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Science, Ataturk University, 25240 Erzurum, Turkey
| | - Paul Musa Obadia
- Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49 (O&N 706), B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Unit of Toxicology and Environment, School of Public Health, University of Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo
| | - Carsi Kuhangana
- Unit of Toxicology and Environment, School of Public Health, University of Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Public Health, University of Kolwezi, Kolwezi, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Tony Kayembe-Kitenge
- Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49 (O&N 706), B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Unit of Toxicology and Environment, School of Public Health, University of Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo
| | - Joseph Pyana Kitenge
- Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health, Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Celestin Banza Lubaba Nkulu
- Unit of Toxicology and Environment, School of Public Health, University of Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo
| | - Jeroen Vanoirbeek
- Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49 (O&N 706), B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Tim S. Nawrot
- Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49 (O&N 706), B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Centre of Environmental Health, University of Hasselt, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Peter Hoet
- Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49 (O&N 706), B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Benoit Nemery
- Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49 (O&N 706), B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
54
|
Watzky M, de Dieuleveult M, Letessier A, Saint-Ruf C, Miotto B. Assessing the consequences of environmental exposures on the expression of the human receptor and proteases involved in SARS-CoV-2 cell-entry. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 195:110317. [PMID: 33069705 PMCID: PMC7560643 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.110317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Revised: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
The role of environmental condition on the infection by the novel pathogenic SARS-CoV-2 virus remains uncertain. In here, exploiting a large panel of publicly available genome-wide data, we investigated whether the human receptor ACE2 and human proteases TMPRSS2, FURIN and CATHEPSINs (B, L and V), which are involved in SARS-CoV-2 cell entry, are transcriptionally regulated by environmental cues. We report that more than 50 chemicals modulate the expression of ACE2 or human proteases important for SARS-CoV-2 cell entry. We further demonstrate that transcription factor AhR, which is commonly activated by pollutants, binds to the promoter of TMPRSS2 and enhancers and/or promoters of Cathepsin B, L and V encoding genes. Our exploratory study documents an influence of environmental exposures on the expression of genes involved in SARS-CoV-2 cell entry. These results could be conceptually and medically relevant to our understanding of the COVID-19 disease, and should be further explored in laboratory and epidemiologic studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Manon Watzky
- Université de Paris, Institut Cochin, INSERM, U1016, CNRS, UMR8104, F-75014, PARIS, France
| | - Maud de Dieuleveult
- Université de Paris, Institut Cochin, INSERM, U1016, CNRS, UMR8104, F-75014, PARIS, France
| | - Anne Letessier
- Université de Paris, Institut Cochin, INSERM, U1016, CNRS, UMR8104, F-75014, PARIS, France
| | - Claude Saint-Ruf
- Université de Paris, Institut Cochin, INSERM, U1016, CNRS, UMR8104, F-75014, PARIS, France
| | - Benoit Miotto
- Université de Paris, Institut Cochin, INSERM, U1016, CNRS, UMR8104, F-75014, PARIS, France.
| |
Collapse
|
55
|
Duval JF, van Leeuwen HP, Norde W, Town RM. Chemodynamic features of nanoparticles: Application to understanding the dynamic life cycle of SARS-CoV-2 in aerosols and aqueous biointerfacial zones. Adv Colloid Interface Sci 2021; 290:102400. [PMID: 33713994 PMCID: PMC7931671 DOI: 10.1016/j.cis.2021.102400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Revised: 02/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
We review concepts involved in describing the chemodynamic features of nanoparticles and apply the framework to gain physicochemical insights into interactions between SARS-CoV-2 virions and airborne particulate matter (PM). Our analysis is highly pertinent given that the World Health Organisation acknowledges that SARS-CoV-2 may be transmitted by respiratory droplets, and the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention recognises that airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 can occur. In our theoretical treatment, the virion is assimilated to a core-shell nanoparticle, and contributions of various interaction energies to the virion-PM association (electrostatic, hydrophobic, London-van der Waals, etc.) are generically included. We review the limited available literature on the physicochemical features of the SARS-CoV-2 virion and identify knowledge gaps. Despite the lack of quantitative data, our conceptual framework qualitatively predicts that virion-PM entities are largely able to maintain equilibrium on the timescale of their diffusion towards the host cell surface. Comparison of the relevant mass transport coefficients reveals that virion biointernalization demand by alveolar host cells may be greater than the diffusive supply. Under such conditions both the free and PM-sorbed virions may contribute to the transmitted dose. This result points to the potential for PM to serve as a shuttle for delivery of virions to host cell targets. Thus, our critical review reveals that the chemodynamics of virion-PM interactions may play a crucial role in the transmission of COVID-19, and provides a sound basis for explaining reported correlations between episodes of air pollution and outbreaks of COVID-19.
Collapse
|
56
|
Filippini T, Rothman KJ, Cocchio S, Narne E, Mantoan D, Saia M, Goffi A, Ferrari F, Maffeis G, Orsini N, Baldo V, Vinceti M. Associations between mortality from COVID-19 in two Italian regions and outdoor air pollution as assessed through tropospheric nitrogen dioxide. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 760:143355. [PMID: 33187703 PMCID: PMC7609227 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.143355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 10/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/25/2020] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
After the appearance of COVID-19 in China last December 2019, Italy was the first European country to be severely affected by the outbreak. The first diagnosis in Italy was on February 20, 2020, followed by the establishment of a light and a tight lockdown on February 23 and on March 8, 2020, respectively. The virus spread rapidly, particularly in the North of the country in the 'Padan Plain' area, known as one of the most polluted regions in Europe. Air pollution has been recently hypothesized to enhance the clinical severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection, acting through adverse effects on immunity, induction of respiratory and other chronic disease, upregulation of viral receptor ACE-2, and possible pathogen transportation as a virus carrier. We investigated the association between air pollution and subsequent COVID-19 mortality rates within two Italian regions (Veneto and Emilia-Romagna). We estimated ground-level nitrogen dioxide through its tropospheric levels using data available from the Sentinel-5P satellites of the European Space Agency Copernicus Earth Observation Programme before the lockdown. We then examined COVID-19 mortality rates in relation to the nitrogen dioxide levels at three 14-day lag points after the lockdown, namely March 8, 22 and April 5, 2020. Using a multivariable negative binomial regression model, we found an association between nitrogen dioxide and COVID-19 mortality. Although ecological data provide only weak evidence, these findings indicate an association between air pollution levels and COVID-19 severity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tommaso Filippini
- Environmental, Genetic and Nutritional Epidemiology Research Center (CREAGEN), Section of Public Health, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Kenneth J Rothman
- RTI Health Solutions, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Silvia Cocchio
- Department of Cardiac Thoracic Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, Italy
| | | | - Domenico Mantoan
- Department for Health and Social Affairs of Veneto Region, Venice, Italy
| | - Mario Saia
- Azienda Zero of Veneto Region, Padua, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Nicola Orsini
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Vincenzo Baldo
- Department of Cardiac Thoracic Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, Italy
| | - Marco Vinceti
- Environmental, Genetic and Nutritional Epidemiology Research Center (CREAGEN), Section of Public Health, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy; Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
57
|
Spatiotemporal Investigations of Multi-Sensor Air Pollution Data over Bangladesh during COVID-19 Lockdown. REMOTE SENSING 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/rs13050877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
This study investigates spatiotemporal changes in air pollution (particulate as well as gases) during the COVID-19 lockdown period over major cities of Bangladesh. The study investigated the aerosol optical depth (AOD) from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) onboard Terra and Aqua satellites, PM2.5 and PM10 from Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS), and NO2 and O3 from TROPOMI-5P, from March to June 2019–2020. Additionally, aerosol subtypes from the Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder (CALIPSO) were used to explore the aerosol types. The strict lockdown (26 March–30 May 2020) led to a significant reduction in AOD (up to 47%) in all major cities, while the partial lockdown (June 2020) led to increased and decreased AOD over the study area. Significant reductions in PM2.5 (37–77%) and PM10 (33–70%) were also observed throughout the country during the strict lockdown and partial lockdown. The NO2 levels decreased by 3–25% in March 2020 in the cities of Rajshahi, Chattogram, Sylhet, Khulna, Barisal, and Mymensingh, in April by 3–43% in Dhaka, Chattogram, Khulna, Barisal, Bhola, and Mymensingh, and May by 12–42% in Rajshahi, Sylhet, Mymensingh, and Rangpur. During the partial lockdown in June, NO2 decreased (9–35%) in Dhaka, Chattogram, Sylhet, Khulna, Barisal, and Rangpur compared to 2019. On the other hand, increases were observed in ozone (O3) levels, with an average increase of 3–12% throughout the country during the strict lockdown and only a slight reduction of 1–3% in O3 during the partial lockdown. In terms of aerosol types, CALIPSO observed high levels of polluted dust followed by dust, smoke, polluted continental, and clean marine-type aerosols over the country in 2019, but all types were decreased during the lockdown. The study concludes that the strict lockdown measures were able to significantly improve air quality conditions over Bangladesh due to the shutdown of industries, vehicles, and movement of people.
Collapse
|
58
|
Signorini C, Pignatti P, Coccini T. How Do Inflammatory Mediators, Immune Response and Air Pollution Contribute to COVID-19 Disease Severity? A Lesson to Learn. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:182. [PMID: 33669011 PMCID: PMC7996623 DOI: 10.3390/life11030182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Revised: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Inflammatory and immune processes are defensive mechanisms that aim to remove harmful agents. As a response to infections, inflammation and immune response contribute to the pathophysiological mechanisms of diseases. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), whose underlying mechanisms remain not fully elucidated, has posed new challenges for the knowledge of pathophysiology. Chiefly, the inflammatory process and immune response appear to be unique features of COVID-19 that result in developing a hyper-inflammatory syndrome, and air pollution, the world's largest health risk factor, may partly explain the behaviour and fate of COVID-19. Understanding the mechanisms involved in the progression of COVID-19 is of fundamental importance in order to avoid the late stage of the disease, associated with a poor prognosis. Here, the role of the inflammatory and immune mediators in COVID-19 pathophysiology is discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cinzia Signorini
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Patrizia Pignatti
- Allergy and Immunology Unit, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, 27100 Pavia, Italy;
| | - Teresa Coccini
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Toxicology, Pavia Poison Centre, National Toxicology Information Centre, Toxicology Unit, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, 27100 Pavia, Italy;
| |
Collapse
|
59
|
Rodriguez-Villamizar LA, Belalcázar-Ceron LC, Fernández-Niño JA, Marín-Pineda DM, Rojas-Sánchez OA, Acuña-Merchán LA, Ramírez-García N, Mangones-Matos SC, Vargas-González JM, Herrera-Torres J, Agudelo-Castañeda DM, Piñeros Jiménez JG, Rojas-Roa NY, Herrera-Galindo VM. Air pollution, sociodemographic and health conditions effects on COVID-19 mortality in Colombia: An ecological study. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 756:144020. [PMID: 33279185 PMCID: PMC7688425 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.144020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The present study aimed to determine the association between chronic exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5), sociodemographic aspects, and health conditions with COVID-19 mortality in Colombia. METHODS We performed an ecological study using data at the municipality level. We used COVID-19 data obtained from government public reports up to and including July 17th, 2020. We defined PM2.5 long-term exposure as the 2014-2018 average of the estimated concentrations at municipalities obtained from the Copernicus Atmospheric Monitoring Service Reanalysis (CAMSRA) model. We fitted a logit-negative binomial hurdle model for the mortality rate adjusting for sociodemographic and health conditions. RESULTS Estimated mortality rate ratios (MRR) for long-term average PM2.5 were not statistically significant in either of the two components of the hurdle model (i.e., the likelihood of reporting at least one death or the count of fatal cases). We found that having 10% or more of the population over 65 years of age (MRR = 3.91 95%CI 2.24-6.81), the poverty index (MRR = 1.03 95%CI 1.01-1.05), and the prevalence of hypertension over 6% (MRR = 1.32 95%CI1.03-1.68) are the main factors associated with death rate at the municipality level. Having higher hospital beds capacity is inversely correlated to mortality. CONCLUSIONS There was no evidence of an association between long-term exposure to PM2.5 and COVID-19 mortality rate at the municipality level in Colombia. Demographics, health system capacity, and social conditions did have evidence of an ecological effect on COVID-19 mortality. The use of model-based estimations of long-term PM2.5 exposure includes an undetermined level of uncertainty in the results, and therefore they should be interpreted as preliminary evidence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Néstor Y Rojas-Roa
- School of Engineering, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
| | | |
Collapse
|
60
|
Abstract
Air pollution, particularly fine and ultrafine particulate matter aerosols, underlies a wide range of communicable and non-communicable disease affecting many systems including the cardiopulmonary and immune systems, and arises primarily from transportation and industry. A number of air pollution driven diseases also are Covid19 comorbidities. Thus, a number of studies on air pollution exposure, particularly particulate matter, strongly indicate air pollution is an important underlying factor in Covid19 transmission, severity, and mortality. This suggests that air pollution from natural sources, particularly wildfires, could play a role in the Covid19 pandemic. We tested this hypothesis on three wildfire smoke events in Orange County, CA, each of which was followed by Covid19 case increases after an approximately one-week lag. This lag was consistent with combined incubation time and testing/reporting times. Moreover, the three events suggest a dose dependency. The wildfire comorbidity hypothesis implies that at-risk-populations should reduce smoke exposure from wildfires, as well as indoors from biomass burning for heating, cooking, and aesthetic purposes.
Collapse
|
61
|
Tanwar V, Adelstein JM, Wold LE. Double trouble: combined cardiovascular effects of particulate matter exposure and coronavirus disease 2019. Cardiovasc Res 2021; 117:85-95. [PMID: 33084879 PMCID: PMC7665323 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvaa293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has rapidly grown into a pandemic. According to initial reports, the lungs were thought to be the primary target, but recent case studies have shown its reach can extend to other organs including the heart and blood vessels. The severity of cardiac complications of COVID-19 depends on multiple underlying factors, with air pollutant exposure being one of them, as reported by several recent studies. Airborne particulate matter (PM) attracts heightened attention due to its implication in various diseases, especially respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Inhaled PM not only carries microorganisms inside the body but also elicits local and systemic inflammatory responses resulting in altering the host's immunity and increasing susceptibility to infection. Previous and recent studies have documented that PM acts as a 'carrier' for the virus and aids in spreading viral infections. This review presents the mechanisms and effects of viral entry and how pollution can potentially modulate pathophysiological processes in the heart. We aimed to concisely summarize studies examining cardiovascular outcomes in COVID-19 patients and postulate on how PM can influence these outcomes. We have also reviewed evidence on the use of renin-angiotensin system inhibitors, namely angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers, in patients with COVID-19. The interplay of pollution and SARS-CoV-2 is essential to understanding the effects of accentuated cardiovascular effects of COVID-19 and deserves in-depth experimental investigations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vineeta Tanwar
- Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, 473 W. 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- College of Nursing, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Jeremy M Adelstein
- Medical Student Research Program, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Loren E Wold
- Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, 473 W. 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- College of Nursing, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA
| |
Collapse
|
62
|
Engin AB, Engin ED, Engin A. The effect of environmental pollution on immune evasion checkpoints of SARS-CoV-2. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2021; 81:103520. [PMID: 33132153 PMCID: PMC7580701 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2020.103520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Revised: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/18/2020] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Many diverse strategies allow and facilitate severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) to evade antiviral innate immune mechanisms. Although the type I interferon (IFN) system has a critical role in restricting the dissemination of viral infection, suppression of IFN receptor signals by SARS-CoV-2 constitutes a checkpoint that plays an important role in the immune escape of the virus. Environmental pollution not only facilitates SARS-CoV-2 infection but also increases infection-associated fatality risk, which arises due to Systemic Aryl hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR) Activation Syndrome. The intracellular accumulation of endogenous kynurenic acid due to overexpression of the indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) by AhR activation induces AhR-interleukin-6 (IL-6)-signal transducers and activators of the transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling pathway. The AhR-IDO1-Kynurenine pathway is an important checkpoint, which leads to fatal consequences in SARS-CoV-2 infection and immune evasion in the context of Treg/Th17 imbalance and cytokine storm.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ayse Basak Engin
- Gazi University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Toxicology, Ankara, Turkey.
| | - Evren Doruk Engin
- Ankara University, Biotechnology Institute, Gumusdere Campus, Kecioren, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Atilla Engin
- Gazi University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of General Surgery, Ankara, Turkey
| |
Collapse
|
63
|
Di Girolamo P. Assessment of the potential role of atmospheric particulate pollution and airborne transmission in intensifying the first wave pandemic impact of SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 in Northern Italy. BULLETIN OF ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 2020; 1:515-550. [PMID: 38624634 PMCID: PMC7750914 DOI: 10.1007/s42865-020-00024-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which exploded in Wuhan (Hebei Region, China) in late 2019, has later spread around the world, causing pandemic effects on humans. During the first wave of the pandemic, Italy, and especially its Northern regions around the Po Valley, faced severe consequences in terms of infected individuals and casualties (more than 31,000 deaths and 255,000 infected people by mid-May 2020). While the spread and effective impact of the virus is primarily related to the lifestyles and social habits of the different human communities, environmental and meteorological factors also play a role. Among these, particulate pollution may directly impact the human respiratory system or act as virus carrier, thus behaving as potential amplifying factor in the pandemic spread of SARS-CoV-2. Enhanced levels of PM2.5 and PM10 particles in Northern Italy were observed over the 2-month period preceding the virus pandemic spread. Threshold levels for PM10 (< 50 μg/m3) were exceeded on 20-35 days over the period January-February 2020 in many areas in the Po Valley, where major effects in terms of infections and casualties occurred, with levels in excess of 80 μg/m3 occasionally observed in the 1-3 weeks preceding the contagious activation around February 25, 2020. Threshold values for PM2.5 indicated in WHO air quality guidelines (< 25 μg/m3) were exceeded on more than 40 days over the period January-February 2020 in large portions of the Po Valley, with levels up to 70 μg/m3 observed in the weeks preceding the contagious activation. In this paper, PM10 particle measurements are compared with epidemiologic parameters' data. Specifically, a statistical analysis is carried out to correlate the infection rate, or incidence of the pathology, the mortality rate, and the case fatality rate with PM concentrations. The study considers epidemiologic data for all 110 Italian provinces, as reported by the Italian Statistics Institute, over the period 20 February-31 March 2020. Corresponding PM10 concentrations covering the period 15-26 February 2020 were collected from the network of air quality monitoring stations run by different regional and provincial environment agencies. The case fatality rate is found to be highly correlated to the average PM10 concentration, with a correlation coefficient of 0.89 and a slope of the regression line of (6.7 ± 0.3) × 10-3 m3/μg, which implies a doubling (from 3 to 6%) of the mortality rate of infected patients for an average PM10 concentration increase from 22 to 27 μg/m3. Infection and mortality rates are also found to be correlated with PM10 concentrations, with correlation coefficients being 0.82 and 0.80, respectively, and the slopes of the regression lines indicating a doubling (from 1 to 2‰) of the infection rate and a tripling (from 0.1 to 0.3‰) of the mortality rate for an average PM10 concentration increase from 25 to 29 μg/m3. Considerations on the exhaled particles' sizes, their concentrations and residence times, the transported viral dose and the minimum infective dose, in combination with PM2.5 and PM10 pollution measurements and an analytical microphysical model, allowed assessing the potential role of airborne transmission through virus-laden PM particles, in addition to droplet and the traditional airborne transmission, in conveying SARS-CoV-2 in the human respiratory system. In specific circumstances which can be found in indoor environments, the number of small potentially infectious particles coalescing on PM2.5 and PM10 particles is estimated to exceed the number of infectious particles needed to activate COVID-19 infection in humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Di Girolamo
- Scuola di Ingegneria, Università degli Studi della Basilicata, Viale dell’Ateneo Lucano, 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
64
|
Hutter HP, Poteser M, Moshammer H, Lemmerer K, Mayer M, Weitensfelder L, Wallner P, Kundi M. Air Pollution Is Associated with COVID-19 Incidence and Mortality in Vienna, Austria. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:E9275. [PMID: 33322456 PMCID: PMC7764269 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17249275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Revised: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
We determined the impact of air pollution on COVID-19-related mortality and reported-case incidence, analyzing the correlation of infection case numbers and outcomes with previous-year air pollution data from the populations of 23 Viennese districts. Time at risk started in a district when the first COVID-19 case was diagnosed. High exposure levels were defined as living in a district with an average (year 2019) concentration of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and/or particulate matter (PM10) higher than the upper quartile (30 and 20 µg/m3, respectively) of all districts. The total population of the individual districts was followed until diagnosis of or death from COVID-19, or until 21 April 2020, whichever came first. Cox proportional hazard regression was performed after controlling for percentage of population aged 65 and more, percentage of foreigners and of persons with a university degree, unemployment rate, and population density. PM10 and NO2 were significantly and positively associated with the risk of a COVID-19 diagnosis (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.44 and 1.16, respectively). NO2 was also significantly associated with death from COVID-19 (HR = 1.72). Even within a single city, higher levels of air pollution are associated with an adverse impact on COVID-19 risk.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hans-Peter Hutter
- Center for Public Health, Department of Environmental Health, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (H.-P.H.); (H.M.); (K.L.); (L.W.); (P.W.); (M.K.)
| | - Michael Poteser
- Center for Public Health, Department of Environmental Health, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (H.-P.H.); (H.M.); (K.L.); (L.W.); (P.W.); (M.K.)
| | - Hanns Moshammer
- Center for Public Health, Department of Environmental Health, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (H.-P.H.); (H.M.); (K.L.); (L.W.); (P.W.); (M.K.)
- Department of Hygiene, Medical University of Karakalpakstan, Nukus 230100, Uzbekistan
| | - Kathrin Lemmerer
- Center for Public Health, Department of Environmental Health, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (H.-P.H.); (H.M.); (K.L.); (L.W.); (P.W.); (M.K.)
| | - Monika Mayer
- Institute of Meteorology and Climatology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, 1180 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Lisbeth Weitensfelder
- Center for Public Health, Department of Environmental Health, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (H.-P.H.); (H.M.); (K.L.); (L.W.); (P.W.); (M.K.)
| | - Peter Wallner
- Center for Public Health, Department of Environmental Health, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (H.-P.H.); (H.M.); (K.L.); (L.W.); (P.W.); (M.K.)
| | - Michael Kundi
- Center for Public Health, Department of Environmental Health, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (H.-P.H.); (H.M.); (K.L.); (L.W.); (P.W.); (M.K.)
| |
Collapse
|
65
|
Calderón-Garcidueñas L, Torres-Jardón R, Franco-Lira M, Kulesza R, González-Maciel A, Reynoso-Robles R, Brito-Aguilar R, García-Arreola B, Revueltas-Ficachi P, Barrera-Velázquez JA, García-Alonso G, García-Rojas E, Mukherjee PS, Delgado-Chávez R. Environmental Nanoparticles, SARS-CoV-2 Brain Involvement, and Potential Acceleration of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Diseases in Young Urbanites Exposed to Air Pollution. J Alzheimers Dis 2020; 78:479-503. [PMID: 32955466 DOI: 10.3233/jad-200891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases (AD, PD) have a pediatric and young adult onset in Metropolitan Mexico City (MMC). The SARS-CoV-2 neurotropic RNA virus is triggering neurological complications and deep concern regarding acceleration of neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative processes already in progress. This review, based on our MMC experience, will discuss two major issues: 1) why residents chronically exposed to air pollution are likely to be more susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 systemic and brain effects and 2) why young people with AD and PD already in progress will accelerate neurodegenerative processes. Secondary mental consequences of social distancing and isolation, fear, financial insecurity, violence, poor health support, and lack of understanding of the complex crisis are expected in MMC residents infected or free of SARS-CoV-2. MMC residents with pre-SARS-CoV-2 accumulation of misfolded proteins diagnostic of AD and PD and metal-rich, magnetic nanoparticles damaging key neural organelles are an ideal host for neurotropic SARS-CoV-2 RNA virus invading the body through the same portals damaged by nanoparticles: nasal olfactory epithelium, the gastrointestinal tract, and the alveolar-capillary portal. We urgently need MMC multicenter retrospective-prospective neurological and psychiatric population follow-up and intervention strategies in place in case of acceleration of neurodegenerative processes, increased risk of suicide, and mental disease worsening. Identification of vulnerable populations and continuous effort to lower air pollution ought to be critical steps.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Ricardo Torres-Jardón
- Centro de Ciencias de la Atmósfera, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Maricela Franco-Lira
- Colegio de Bachilleres Militarizado, "General Mariano Escobedo", Monterrey, N.L., México
| | - Randy Kulesza
- Auditory Research Center, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Erie, PA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Partha S Mukherjee
- Interdisciplinary Statistical Research Unit, Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata, India
| | | |
Collapse
|
66
|
Barakat T, Muylkens B, Su BL. Is Particulate Matter of Air Pollution a Vector of Covid-19 Pandemic? MATTER 2020; 3:977-980. [PMID: 33047101 PMCID: PMC7540212 DOI: 10.1016/j.matt.2020.09.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic is a severe respiratory disease caused by the emergence of a new coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, that very quickly spread in the human population. Fine particulate matter (PM) generated from combustion engines have been described as toxic to human health. Recent events stressed that high concentrations of PM of air pollution might favor the spread of SARS-CoV-2. Autumn approaches, air pollution will be accentuated because of weather condition. The risk of a second outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic is highly probable. Elucidating the role of PM of air pollution in the spread of the virus is thus urgent and crucial.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tarek Barakat
- Laboratory of Inorganic Materials Chemistry (CMI), Namur Institute of Structured Matter (NISM), University of Namur, Namur, Wallonia 5000, Belgium
| | - Benoit Muylkens
- Integrated Veterinary Research Unit, Namur Research Institute for Life Sciences (NARILIS), University of Namur, Namur, Wallonia 5000, Belgium
| | - Bao-Lian Su
- Laboratory of Inorganic Materials Chemistry (CMI), Namur Institute of Structured Matter (NISM), University of Namur, Namur, Wallonia 5000, Belgium
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Materials Synthesis and Processing, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China
| |
Collapse
|
67
|
Anderson G, Carbone A, Mazzoccoli G. Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Role in Co-Ordinating SARS-CoV-2 Entry and Symptomatology: Linking Cytotoxicity Changes in COVID-19 and Cancers; Modulation by Racial Discrimination Stress. BIOLOGY 2020; 9:E249. [PMID: 32867244 PMCID: PMC7564943 DOI: 10.3390/biology9090249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Revised: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
There is an under-recognized role of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) in co-ordinating the entry and pathophysiology of the severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) that underpins the COVID-19 pandemic. The rise in pro-inflammatory cytokines during the 'cytokine storm' induce indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), leading to an increase in kynurenine that activates the AhR, thereby heightening the initial pro-inflammatory cytokine phase and suppressing the endogenous anti-viral response. Such AhR-driven changes underpin the heightened severity and fatality associated with pre-existent high-risk medical conditions, such as type II diabetes, as well as to how racial discrimination stress contributes to the raised severity/fatality in people from the Black Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities. The AhR is pivotal in modulating mitochondrial metabolism and co-ordinating specialized, pro-resolving mediators (SPMs), the melatonergic pathways, acetyl-coenzyme A, and the cyclooxygenase (COX) 2-prostaglandin (PG) E2 pathway that underpin 'exhaustion' in the endogenous anti-viral cells, paralleling similar metabolic suppression in cytolytic immune cells that is evident across all cancers. The pro-inflammatory cytokine induced gut permeability/dysbiosis and suppression of pineal melatonin are aspects of the wider pathophysiological underpinnings regulated by the AhR. This has a number of prophylactic and treatment implications for SARS-CoV-2 infection and cancers and future research directions that better investigate the biological underpinnings of social processes and how these may drive health disparities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- George Anderson
- CRC Scotland & London, Eccleston Square, London SW1V 1PB, UK;
| | - Annalucia Carbone
- Division of Internal Medicine and Chronobiology Laboratory, Department of Medical Sciences, Fondazione IRCCS “Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza”, San Giovanni Rotondo, 71013 Foggia, Italy;
| | - Gianluigi Mazzoccoli
- Division of Internal Medicine and Chronobiology Laboratory, Department of Medical Sciences, Fondazione IRCCS “Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza”, San Giovanni Rotondo, 71013 Foggia, Italy;
| |
Collapse
|
68
|
Rohrer M, Flahault A, Stoffel M. Peaks of Fine Particulate Matter May Modulate the Spreading and Virulence of COVID-19. EARTH SYSTEMS AND ENVIRONMENT 2020; 4:789-796. [PMID: 34723075 PMCID: PMC7679238 DOI: 10.1007/s41748-020-00184-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
A probe of a patient, seeking help in an emergency ward of a French hospital in late December 2019 because of Influenza like symptoms, was retrospectively tested positive to COVID-19. Despite the early appearance of the virus in Europe, the prevalence and virulence appeared to be low for several weeks, before the spread and severity of symptoms increased exponentially, yet with marked spatial and temporal differences. Here, we compare the possible linkages between peaks of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and the sudden, explosive increase of hospitalizations and mortality rates in the Swiss Canton of Ticino, and the Greater Paris and London regions. We argue that these peaks of fine particulate matter are primarily occurring during thermal inversion of the boundary layer of the atmosphere. We also discuss the influence of Saharan dust intrusions on the COVID-19 outbreak observed in early 2020 on the Canary Islands. We deem it both reasonable and plausible that high PM2.5 concentrations-favored by air temperature inversions or Saharan dust intrusions-are not only modulating but even more so boosting severe outbreaks of COVID-19. Moreover, desert dust events-besides enhancing PM2.5 concentrations-can be a vector for fungal diseases, thereby exacerbating COVID-19 morbidity and mortality. We conclude that the overburdening of the health services and hospitals as well as the high over-mortality observed in various regions of Europe in spring 2020 may be linked to peaks of PM2.5 and likely particular weather situations that have favored the spread and enhanced the virulence of the virus. In the future, we recommended to monitor not only the prevalence of the virus, but also to consider the occurrence of weather situations that can lead to sudden, very explosive COVID-19 outbreaks.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mario Rohrer
- Meteodat GmbH, 8903 Birmensdorf ZH, Switzerland
- Climate Change Impacts and Risks in the Anthropocene, Institute for Environmental Sciences (ISE), University of Geneva, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Antoine Flahault
- Institute of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, 1202 Geneva, Switzerland
- Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), 8001 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Markus Stoffel
- Climate Change Impacts and Risks in the Anthropocene, Institute for Environmental Sciences (ISE), University of Geneva, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
- Department F.-A. Forel for Environmental and Aquatic Sciences, University of Geneva, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Geneva, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|