The role of neutrophils in the pathogenesis of rhinovirus infections

The common cold is the most frequent acute respiratory illness of man. On the average adults have 2 to 4 and children have 6 to 10 colds each year.1 3 These illnesses are associated with major socioeconomic costs in the form of missed school and work, physician visits and the purchase of over the counter medications. Although the morbidity of these infections is relatively minor, 2.9% of colds are complicated by otitis media or sinusitis and 0.7% are associated with an exacerbation of underlying reactive airway disease.1 At least one-third of colds are caused by the rhino-viruses.3 In spite of the importance of these viruses as a cause of illness, surprisingly little is known about the pathogenesis of rhinovirus infection. The purpose of this review is to summarize recent information about the pathogenesis of the common cold with particular attention to the potential role of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs).