A Virologic Study of Chronic Bronchitis

Abstract
FORMAL recognition of chronic bronchitis as a distinct clinical entity has been relatively recent in this country. Simply defined, it is an inflammatory condition of the bronchi and bronchioles accompanied by hypersecretion and hypertrophy of bronchial mucous glands that results in chronic productive cough of varying severity.1 Of the several factors implicated in the etiology and course of chronic bronchitis considerable evidence has accumulated that infection has a dominant role.2 3 4 5 6 The severity, frequency and duration of infection correlates well with the progressive deterioration of the patient.7 In general, the patient with chronic bronchitis is unhampered in his usual activities . . .