Introduction: Infection is a major cause of acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPDs). We
aimed to study the infectious etiology related to AECOPD. Methods: Patients admitted to an
acute care hospital in Hong Kong with an AECOPD were recruited prospectively from May 1,
2004, to April 30, 2005. Sputum samples, nasopharyngeal aspirate (NPA) samples, and
paired serology specimens were collected. Spirometry was performed with patients in the
stable phase 2 to 3 months after hospital discharge. Results: There were 643 episodes of …