Pathogens . Competing Bioaerosols May Influence the Seasonality of Influenza-Like Illnesses, including COVID-19. The Chicago Experience

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Pathogens


. 2021 Sep 16;10(9):1204.
doi: 10.3390/pathogens10091204.
Competing Bioaerosols May Influence the Seasonality of Influenza-Like Illnesses, including COVID-19. The Chicago Experience


Richa B Shah ¹ , Rachna D Shah ² , Damien G Retzinger ³ , Andrew C Retzinger ⁴ , Deborah A Retzinger ⁵ , Gregory S Retzinger ⁶



Affiliations

• PMID: 34578237
• DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10091204

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.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; TLR4; Toll-like receptor; bioaerosols; fibrin(ogen) D-domain; influenza-like illness (ILI); innate immunity; mold spores; pollens.