International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Role of viruses in COPD

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, characterized by persistent airflow limitation and chronic respiratory symptoms. While cigarette smoking is the primary risk factor, increasing evidence underscores the significant role of viral infections in the development and exacerbation of COPD. Respiratory viruses such as influenza, rhinoviruses, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and others are frequently detected during acute exacerbations, often triggering worsening of symptoms, increased hospitalizations, and accelerated lung function decline. Beyond exacerbations, viral infections may also contribute to chronic airway inflammation and tissue damage, influencing disease progression. Understanding the role of viruses in COPD pathogenesis is crucial for improving management strategies, including vaccination and antiviral therapies. This article series aims to explore the complex interactions between viruses and COPD, highlighting their impact on disease course and potential avenues for targeted interventions.

Understanding the role of viruses in COPD is critically important because viral infections significantly influence disease progression, exacerbation frequency, and patient outcomes. Acute exacerbations triggered by viruses lead to increased hospitalizations, healthcare costs, and a decline in lung function, often resulting in long-term disability. Recognizing viral contributions allows for improved prevention strategies, such as targeted vaccinations and antiviral therapies, which can reduce the frequency and severity of exacerbations. Additionally, understanding viral interactions with the immune system and airway tissues can inform the development of novel treatments aimed at modulating inflammation and preventing tissue damage. As COPD remains a major global health challenge, insights into viral involvement are essential for optimizing management, reducing disease burden, and improving quality of life for patients. Ultimately, addressing viral factors offers a promising avenue to mitigate disease progression and enhance therapeutic outcomes in COPD care.

Topics of this Article Collection may include but not limited to:

• How viruses affect COPD in acute exacerbation. This section will explore the role of viral infections as key triggers of acute exacerbations in COPD patients. It will examine the mechanisms by which viruses, such as influenza and rhinoviruses, induce airway inflammation, worsen airflow limitation, and contribute to hospitalization and disease severity. Understanding these processes is essential for developing targeted interventions to prevent and manage exacerbations effectively.
• How viruses affect COPD at the stable state. This part will focus on the influence of viral infections during the stable phase of COPD. It will discuss how recurrent or subclinical viral infections may contribute to ongoing airway inflammation, tissue remodeling, and gradual lung function decline. Insights into viral persistence and immune responses during stability can inform strategies to slow disease progression.
• Strategies of protection among COPD patients. This section will review current and emerging strategies to protect COPD patients from viral infections. Topics include vaccination programs, antiviral therapies, infection control practices, and patient education. Emphasizing preventive measures aims to reduce exacerbation frequency and improve long-term outcomes in COPD management.

Keywords

1. COPD
2. Respiratory viruses
3. Influenza
4. Vaccines
5. Infection

­­All manuscripts submitted to this Article Collection will undergo a full peer-review; the Guest Advisor for this Collection will not be handling the manuscripts (unless they are an Editorial Board member).

Please review the journal scope and author submission instructions prior to submitting a manuscript.

The deadline for submitting manuscripts is 30^st September 2027.

Please contact Zhiyuan Zhang at zhiyuan.zhang@taylorandfrancis.com with any queries and discount codes regarding this Article Collection.

Please be sure to select the appropriate Article Collection from the drop-down menu in the submission system. Failure to select the appropriate Article Collection or Section name can result in delays.

Guest Advisor

Dr. Wang Chun Kwok is the Clinical Assistant Professor in University of Hong Kong. His research interests include airway diseases including asthma, bronchiectasis and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. Lung cancer is another area that Dr. Kwok is actively working on. He was awarded the Li Shu Fan Fellowship for Internal Medicine to support his study in phenotyping and therapeutics of airway diseases. He was also awarded competitive research grant, namely Health and Medical Research Fund, Pneumoconiosis Compensation Fund Board (PCFB) Research Fund, Hong Kong Lung Foundation Research Grant, Hong Kong College of Physicians Young Investigator Research Grant, Hong Kong Obesity Society Research Fund and The Hong Kong Institute of Allergy Research Grant. Dr. Kwok is serving as editor and advisory board members in various internal journals.