RATIONALE:

Recently, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) RNA has been identified by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) from a high percentage of patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). These data raise the possibility of persistent low-grade infection in this population, which could have implications in COPD pathogenesis.

OBJECTIVES:

RSV persistence was investigated by testing respiratory secretions from subjects with COPD during illness and at regular intervals over 1 yr.

METHODS:

Nasal and sputum samples from subjects with COPD were tested by one-tube nested RT-PCR for RSV every 2 mo and during respiratory illnesses for 1 yr. Subjects positive for RSV were evaluated weekly until negative in two consecutive samples. Nasal secretions and serum were tested for RSV antibody. A rise of fourfold or greater was defined as evidence of RSV infection.

RESULTS:

A total of 112 patients were enrolled and the illnesses of 92 patients were evaluated. RSV was detected by RT-PCR in 6/92 (6.5%) illness nasal samples versus 0/685 routine nasal samples and in 5/69 (7.2%) illness sputum samples versus 3 /315 (0.9%) routine. Four additional RSV infections were identified by serum antibody responses. Of the RSV infections 86% were associated with serum or nasal antibody responses and 73% had symptoms of acute respiratory illness.

CONCLUSIONS:

Most RSV infections in patients with COPD are associated with symptomatic respiratory illnesses and measurable immune responses. Our data do not support the concept of RSV persistence in this population.