Relevance Of Air Pollutants With Respiratory Tract Infection In Children In Hengshui

Objective:Along with the rapid development of industrialization and urbanization, haze has become increasingly serious over central-eastern China during recent years. Haze is no longer a natural phenomenon, while, it is caused mainly by human-induced emissions of atmospheric aerosols, including PM2.5. As a result, the frequent haze has become serious threats to human health, especially to children. Because of the special anatomical characteristics of the respiratory system as well as immature immune systems, children are more likely to suffer from respiratory diseases.Respiratory syncytial virus(RSV) is one of the primary pathogens of respiratory tract infection in children. The clinical manifestation of RSV-infected patient’s condition is various, which includes bronchiolitis pneumonia, and can lead to death in severe case. Although RSV pathogenesis is not well understood, recent studies have discovered that after the body infected with RSV, the natural immunity is activated which leads to abnormal expressions of inflammatory cytokines,such as tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) and interleukin-1β(IL-1β). TNF-α and IL-1β play play an important role in immune protection and immune pathology.In this study, we analyzed the association between air pollution and respiratory tract infection in children in hengshui,and investigated the RSV infection in children and the expression of IL-1β and TNF-α in peripheral blood of infected infants in Hengshui. The purpose of the study objective is to provide some data of effective preventive measures to reduce the harm to chidren.Methods:1 802 respiratory infected children(aged 0-7 years) were hospitalized in Hengshui People’s Hospital between June 2014 and January 2015. According to the severity condition of the respiratory tract infection, they were classified into three categories: upper respiratory tract infection, bronchitis and pneumonia.2 Daily air quality information in Hengshui over the same period, including air quality index(AQI), fine particulate matter(PM2.5), respirable particulate matter(PM10), carbon monoxide(CO), nitrogen dioxide(NO2), one hour average ozone(O3/1h) and sulfur dioxide(SO2), were collected from the official website of Hengshui PM2.5.3 We analyzed the relevance between the number of hospitalized children with beteen upper respiratory tract infections, bronchitis, pneumonia and levels of air pollutants.4 Of the above patients, 160 children were aged 0-2 years had respiratory tract infection symptom for 3-5 day, and were all diagnosed with respiratory tract infection but without congenital heart and lung disease, lung cancer, lung abnormalities and other infections.The venous blood sample was collected and then serum was separated. These 160 children(cases) and additional 30 healthy 0-2 years old children(controls) are our study cohort. RSV Ig G antibody was measured using ELISA method, where concentrations of IL-1β and TNF-α were measured using ELISA in Ig G antibody positive samples.5 We analyzed the relevance of air pollutants to the number of hospitalized infants with RSV Ig G positive.6 Pearson correlation and linear regression analysis were used for testing relevance between air pollutants and respiratory diseases. The results from ELISA method were expressed as mean ± standard deviation(`x ± sd) and t-test was used to evaluate statistical significance between case and control groups. All statistical analysis was performed using SPSS v.13.0.Results:1 Number of hospitalized children with respiratory disease in one week, two weeks and one month are significantly positive correlated to the average concentrations of air pollutants(AQI, PM2.5, PM10, NO2 and SO2) in last week, last two weeks and last month(P<0.05). However, there is no correlation with the average concentrations of CO and O3/1h(P>0.05). Number of hospitalized children with upper respiratory tract infection and bronchitis in one week, two weeks and one month are not correlated to the average concentrations of air pollutants in last week, last two weeks and last month(P>0.05). However, number of hospitalized children with pneumonia are positive correlated with average concentrations of air pollutants, significantly(P<0.05).2 The RSV Ig G antibodies positive rate is 23.75%,Serum IL-1β and TNF-α in infants with RSV Ig G antibody are significantly higher than that in healthy controls(P<0.05).3 The number of hospitalized infants with RSV Ig G antibodies positive in one month is significantly positive correlated with average concentrations of air pollutants in last month(P<0.05).Conclusions:1 The number of hospitalized children with pneumonia are positive correlated with the levels of air pollution. Therefore, we should strengthen countermeasures, and early forecast and prevention, to reduce the incidence and progression of respiratory disease in children.2 RSV may be one of the most important pathogens of respiratory infections in 0-2 years old children in Hengshui during winter. A strong inflammatory response occurred in the body of infants with positive for RSV Ig G antibodies. The results suggest that IL-1β and TNF-α may play an important role in the development of RSV infection.3 Air pollution may increase the infant’s susceptibility to RSV infection.