Wedzicha JA: Respiratory syncytial virus, airway inflammation, and FEV1 decline in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2006, 173:871-876. This paper demonstrated that persistent respiratory syncytial virus infection could contribute to the progression of COPD severity. Models of infection and exacerbations in COPD Papi et al. 263 www.sciencedirect.com