Jang JG, et al. - In this retrospective analysis, researchers assessed the incidence as well as prognostic factors of viral infection in severe acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). They analyzed 262 cases of severe AECOPD in 192 patients who needed hospitalization and emergency department visits at a tertiary teaching hospital in Daegu, Korea. In severe AECOPD, the estimated incidence of viral infection was 41.2%. Rhinovirus/enterovirus was detected most commonly. Factors that were related to viral infection in severe AECOPD included: elevated C-reactive protein level, symptoms of rhinopharyngitis, low eosinophil count, and use of inhaled corticosteroid.