ABSTRACT
Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are prone to acute
exacerbations that may cause a substantial decline in functional status, hospitaliza-
tion, and even death. COPD exacerbations represent a major burden on health-care
resources in most of the developed world (1). Viral and bacterial agents probably
cause most exacerbations, and a substantial proportion can be prevented by regular
immunizations (2-4). Standard treatment for established exacerbations has long
included antibiotics and bronchodilators, along with oxygen and assisted ventilation
in the most severely ill.
