How do climate conditions and urbanisation impact nontuberculous mycobacterial infections? An Italian nationwide case–control study
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Introduction Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are opportunistic pathogens primarily found in soil and water. Previous studies have linked higher population density and tropical/subtropical climates with increased NTM pulmonary disease (NTM-PD). However, the effects of meteorological parameters and population density on NTM incidence in European countries remain unclear. This study aimed to assess whether climate conditions (temperature, humidity, wind speed, precipitation) and urbanisation influence the occurrence of NTM-PD. Methods We conducted a case–control study evaluating meteorological conditions (in the 12 months before the first NTM isolate) and urbanisation in the municipalities of residence of 1061 adults with NTM-PD enrolled in an Italian multicentre observational study (2017–2023), compared with a random sample of 10 000 adults from the Italian population. Results The mean age of patients was 63.1 years, and 67.2% were female. Less densely populated areas were at lower risk for NTM-PD, even after adjusting for age, sex and meteorological parameters in a multivariable mixed-effects logistic regression model (OR 0.66 (95% CI: 0.56–0.78) and 0.68 (95% CI: 0.52–0.89) for semi-urban and rural areas, respectively, versus urban areas). Hotter climates were found to be at higher risk for NTM infection (OR 1.21 (95% CI: 1.10–1.33) for each °C increase in mean annual temperature). More ventilated climates with higher precipitation were at lower risk for NTM infection (OR 0.90 (95% CI: 0.86–0.95) for each km·h −1 increase in mean annual wind speed; OR 0.99 (95% CI: 0.99–0.99) for each 10 mm increase in mean annual precipitation). Conclusions Climate change, particularly global warming and urbanisation, may increase NTM infections in regions with Mediterranean and continental climates.
Source: ERJ Open Research
Authors: Paola Faverio, Lorenzo Del Castello, Maura Spotti, Paola Rebora, Enrico Cesare Maggioni, Raffaele Salerno, Alessandro Perotto, Fabrizio Luppi, Francesco Rocco Bertuccio, Stefania Reale, Valentina Fornari, Filippo Gozzi, Bianca Granozzi, Federico Lorenzo Dente, Francesca Mariotti, Jacopo Simonetti, Gina Gualano, Niccolò Riccardi, Maurizio Ferrarese, Luigi Ruffo Codecasa, Giovanni Sotgiu, Andrea Gori, Andrea Gramegna, Margherita Ori, Edoardo Simonetta, Francesco Blasi, Stefano Aliberti
Institutions: University of Milano-Bicocca, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Policlinico San Matteo Fondazione, Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale degli Spedali Civili di Brescia, University of Brescia, Ospedale Amedeo di Savoia, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena, IRCCS Azienda Ospedliero-Universitaria di Bologna Policlinico di Sant'Orsola, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Pisana, University of Florence, Agostino Gemelli University Polyclinic, Istituto Nazionale per le Malattie Infettive Lazzaro Spallanzani, Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, University of Sassari, University of Milan, Luigi Sacco Hospital, Centre for Multidisciplinary Research in Health Science, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Humanitas University
Language: English
Subfield: Epidemiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $808
Funder: Insmed
OpenAlex ID: W4411448211