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Occasional review: influenza in COPD: pathogenesis, prevention, and treatment

Geertjan Wesseling1

  • 1Dept of Respiratory Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands. g.wesseling@lung.azm.nl

International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
|November 30, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Influenza A and B viruses cause respiratory infections. While vaccines and antivirals exist, their effectiveness in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients remains unproven.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Immunology
  • Pulmonology

Background:

  • Influenza viruses cause respiratory infections, leading to severe exacerbations, morbidity, and mortality in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
  • Influenza A causes pandemics, while Influenza B causes milder outbreaks. Viral surface antigens (hemagglutinin, neuraminidase) elicit immunity, but antigen variability blunts population immunity.
  • Annual vaccination is recommended for high-risk groups, including elderly individuals and those with underlying lung diseases like COPD, to address evolving viral antigenicity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current understanding of influenza infections in patients with COPD.
  • To discuss the role of vaccination and antiviral therapies in managing influenza in this vulnerable population.
  • To highlight the unproven effectiveness of antiviral drugs in COPD patients.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of influenza virology, immunology, and clinical management strategies.
  • Analysis of the impact of influenza on COPD exacerbations, morbidity, and mortality.
  • Evaluation of current vaccination recommendations and antiviral drug efficacy.

Main Results:

  • Influenza infections significantly worsen outcomes for COPD patients.
  • Antigenic drift in influenza viruses necessitates annual revaccination.
  • Neuraminidase inhibitors are suggested for early treatment to shorten duration and prevent complications, but their specific efficacy in COPD is not established.

Conclusions:

  • Influenza poses a significant threat to individuals with COPD, increasing the risk of severe outcomes.
  • While vaccination and antiviral treatments are standard interventions, robust evidence for their effectiveness specifically in COPD patients is lacking.
  • Further research is needed to establish optimal influenza management strategies for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

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