Respiratory syncytial and other virus infections in persons with chronic cardiopulmonary disease

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) has been increasingly recognized as an im portant cause of serious respiratory illness in some adult populations, inc luding those with underlying cardiopulmonary diseases. However, the precise incidence and the clinical impact of RSV in this group are unknown. Theref ore, the incidence and clinical impact of RSV infection in persons with chr onic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and congestive heart failure (CHF ) who reside in the community were prospectively evaluated over two consecu tive winters in 134 persons. Eight RSV (incidence of 4.3 per 100 subject-wi nters), 13 influenza A (incidence of 7.0 per 100 subject-winters), seven rh inovirus, nine coronavirus, and two parainfluenza virus infections were ide ntified. The clinical illnesses associated with RSV and influenza A virus w ere similar, causing both upper and lower respiratory signs and symptoms. T he clinical impact was significant as three of eight RSV-infected subjects were hospitalized compared with six of 13 influenza A-infected persons and zero of seven rhinovirus-infected persons.