Table 1 Inclusion/exclusion criteria for study subjects.

• Age 40–75 years.

• No history of asthma or allergic rhinitis.

• Not atopic on skin testing.

• Current or ex-smokers with at least 20 pack years cumulative smoking.

• Post-bronchodilator FEV₁ ≤ 80% and ≥ 50% predicted for age and height.

• Post-bronchodilator FEV₁/FVC ratio less than 70% predicted.

• β-agonist reversibility of less than 12%.

• Absence of a current or previous history of bronchiectasis, carcinoma of the bronchus or other significant respiratory disease (other than COPD).

• Absence of significant systemic disease.

• No COPD exacerbation or respiratory tract infection within the previous 8 weeks.

• Serum antibodies to rhinovirus 16 at screening in a titre <1:2.

• No treatment with oral, inhaled or nasal topical steroids, long-acting β-agonists or tiotropium in the previous 3 months.