Impact of climate and urbanization on NTM infections: an Italian nationwide case-control study

Résumé fourni par la source

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are opportunistic agents. Higher population densities and tropical/subtropical climates were associated with increased pulmonary NTM infection (pNTM). However, the impact of meteorological parameters and urbanization on NTM incidence in European countries is still unknown. Aim of this study was to assess whether pNTM was associated with climate parameters and urbanization. We conducted a case-control study evaluating meteorological conditions (in the 12 months before the first NTM isolate) and urbanization in the municipalities of residence of 1061 adults with pNTM enrolled in an Italian multicenter observational study (2017-2023), compared with a random sample of 10000 adults from the Italian population. Densely populated areas were at higher risk for pNTM, in a multivariable logistic regression model (OR95%CI: 0.66, 0.56-0.78 and 0.68, 0.52-0.89 for semi-urban and rural areas, respectively, vs urban areas). Hotter, poorly ventilated climates with less precipitation were at higher risk for NTM infection (OR95%CI 0.90 [0.86-0.95] for each km/h increase in mean annual windiness, 0.99 [0.99-0.99] for each 10 mm increase in mean annual precipitation, and 1.21 [1.10-1.33] for each °C increase in mean annual temperature), Figure. erj;66/suppl_69/OA3389/F1 F1 F1 In conclusion, climate change, particularly global warming and urbanization, may negatively affect NTM infection in regions with continental climates.

Ce résumé expose les affirmations des auteurs. BNTIC ne l’interprète pas comme une validation indépendante des résultats.