Experimental rhinovirus infection as a human model of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation.

ABSTRACT:

Rationale

Respiratory virus infections are associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations, but a causative relationship has not been proven. Studies of naturally occurring exacerbations are difficult and the mechanisms linking virus infection to exacerbations are poorly understood. We hypothesized that experimental rhinovirus infection in subjects with COPD would reproduce the features of naturally occurring COPD exacerbations and is a valid model of COPD exacerbations.

Objectives

To evaluate experimental rhinovirus infection as a model of COPD exacerbation and to investigate the mechanisms of virus-induced exacerbations.

Methods

We used experimental rhinovirus infection in 13 subjects with COPD and 13 nonobstructed control subjects to inve

SUBMITTER: Mallia P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3081284 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature