Infection in the Pathogenesis and Course of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Abstract

New molecular, cellular, and immunologic techniques used to study host–pathogen interactions have led to a reexamination of the role of infection in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). There is now considerable evidence that infection plays a major role in the pathogenesis and clinical course of COPD. A vicious circle of infection and inflammation is thought to lead to exacerbations of the disease.