Table 1.

Effects of respiratory viral infections in COPD

– Desquamation of epithelial cells

– Microvascular dilatation

– Edema

– Inflammatory cell infiltrate, especially CD-8 T-lymphocytes

– Reduction of mucociliary clearance

– Reduction of bacterial killing by macrophages

– Association with bacterial infections of the lower airways

– Induction of hyperinflammation that contributes to disease progression