Shah RB, Shah RD, Retzinger DG, Retzinger AC, Retzinger DA, Retzinger GS. Competing Bioaerosols May Influence the Seasonality of Influenza-Like Illnesses, including COVID-19. The Chicago Experience.
Pathogens 2021;
10:pathogens10091204. [PMID:
34578237 PMCID:
PMC8469960 DOI:
10.3390/pathogens10091204]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Revised: 08/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Data from Chicago confirm the end of flu season coincides with the beginning of pollen season. More importantly, the end of flu season also coincides with onset of seasonal aerosolization of mold spores. Overall, the data suggest bioaerosols, especially mold spores, compete with viruses for a shared receptor, with the periodicity of influenza-like illnesses, including COVID-19, a consequence of seasonal factors that influence aerosolization of competing species.
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