Infective Exacerbations of Chronic Lung Disease

Asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and bronchiectasis are common chronic lung diseases and are major causes of mortality worldwide. Their clinical course is characterized by the occurrence of acute worsening of symptoms termed acute exacerbations that account for a high proportion of the morbidity, mortality and excess healthcare costs attributed to these diseases. The most common triggers of acute exacerbations are respiratory infections, with both bacterial and viral infections implicated. Current therapies are not very effective in preventing exacerbations, particularly in COPD and this remains a major unmet therapeutic need. A better understanding of the mechanisms whereby infections trigger acute exacerbations will lead to the development of new therapies that can reduce the burden of exacerbations.