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Updated: Mar 30, 2026
An In vitro Model to Study Immune Responses of Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells to Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection
Published on: December 10, 2013
Respiratory syncytial virus activity and climate parameters during a 12-year period
Natalia Sirimi1, Michael Miligkos1, Foteini Koutouzi1
1Division of Infectious Diseases, First Department of Pediatrics, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
Insights
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) seasonality in Greece is linked to climate. Lower temperatures and higher humidity correlate with increased RSV activity, particularly in infants under one year old.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
- Environmental Health
Background:
- Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of respiratory tract infections in children globally.
- The epidemic patterns and seasonality of RSV are not fully understood, hindering effective prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the epidemic pattern of RSV infection in Greece over a 12-year period.
- To correlate RSV seasonality with meteorological factors like temperature and humidity.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of hospitalized children (0-14 years) tested for RSV from 2002-2013.
- Analysis of daily temperature and humidity data from the Hellenic National Meteorological Service.
- Statistical correlation and multivariable analysis of RSV incidence with climate parameters.
Main Results:
- 27% of tested children were RSV positive, with 95.8% being infants under 1 year.
- RSV season typically ran from December to April, peaking from January to March.
- Significant positive correlation between RSV activity and relative humidity (rho=0.66), and negative correlation with temperature (rho=-0.81).
- Multivariable analysis confirmed mean monthly temperature as the only statistically significant factor (IRR=0.72).
Conclusions:
- RSV seasonality in Greece is influenced by climate, with cooler, more humid conditions favoring higher incidence.
- Understanding these patterns is crucial for implementing timely immunoprophylaxis and developing future vaccines.
- Further research into RSV seasonality across diverse geographic regions is recommended.
Abstract:
The epidemic pattern of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection during long periods and the factors that determine seasonality are not well studied. In order to correlate the RSV epidemic activity with climate parameters, we conducted a retrospective study of children (0-14 year) who were hospitalized because of respiratory tract infection and had an RSV test performed in the major tertiary pediatric hospital of Greece during a 12-year period (2002-2013). Daily data regarding temperature and humidity were obtained from the Hellenic National Meteorological Service. A total of 2030/7516 (27%) children were tested positive for RSV infection. Among RSV positive children 1945/2030 (95.8%) were infants <1 year. A peak of RSV activity was measured in years 2002, 2003, and 2006 (>35% positive). The RSV season in our area spanned from December to April, with higher incidence during January through March. The peak monthly RSV incidence was observed during February with mean temperature 10.34 °C and mean relative humidity 69.16%. Regarding climate conditions, a statistically significant positive correlation was found between monthly RSV activity and mean monthly relative humidity (rho = 0.66, P-value = 0.02), whereas a negative correlation was found with mean monthly temperature (rho = -0.81, P-value = 0.002). However, in the multivariable analysis, only the effect of mean monthly temperature remained statistically significant (IRR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.68, 0.80). Further understanding of RSV seasonality in different geographic areas would be important in order to timely implement preventing strategies with immunoprophylaxis or future RSV vaccines.
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