Is Public Transport a Risk Factor for Acute Respiratory Infection?

January 17, 2011

The relationship between public transport use and acquisition of acute respiratory infection (ARI) is not well understood but potentially important during epidemics and pandemics. Joy Troko, of the sion of Epidemiology & Public Health at the University of Nottingham in the United Kingdon, and colleagues, performed a case-control study performed during the 2008-2009 influenza season. Their research was published in BMC Infectious Diseases.

The researchers report that cases (n=72) consulted a general practitioner with ARI, and controls with another non-respiratory acute condition (n=66). Data were obtained on bus or tram usage in the five days preceding illness onset (cases) or the five days before consultation (controls) alongside demographic details. Multiple logistic regression modelling was used to investigate the association between bus or tram use and ARI, adjusting for potential confounders.

The researchers report further that recent bus or tram use within five days of symptom onset was associated with an almost six-fold increased risk of consulting for ARI (adjusted OR=5.94 95% CI 1.33-26.5). The risk of ARI appeared to be modified according to the degree of habitual bus and tram use, but this was not statistically significant (1-3 times/week: adjusted OR=0.54 (95% CI 0.15-1.95; >3 times/week: 0.37 (95% CI 0.13-1.06).

Troko, et al. found a statistically significant association between ARI and bus or tram use in the five days before symptom onset. The risk appeared greatest among occasional bus or tram users, but this trend was not statistically significant. However, these data are plausible in relation to the greater likelihood of developing protective antibodies to common respiratory viruses if repeatedly exposed. The findings have differing implications for the control of seasonal acute respiratory infections and for pandemic influenza.

Reference: Troko J, Myles P, Gibson J, Hashim A, Enstone J, Kingdon S, Packham C, Amin S, Hayward A and Nguyen-Van-Tam J. Is public transport a risk factor for acute respiratory infection? BMC Infectious Diseases 2011, 11:16doi:10.1186/1471-2334-11-16.