Possible beneficial effects of 100-mg vitamin E supplementation may be more pronounced in particular subgroups of elderly subjects.

This study supports the importance of rhinovirus infections in community-dwelling elderly persons, whereas asymptomatic elderly persons can also harbor pathogens as detected by PCR, and thus might be a source of infection for their environment.

Exercise may prevent or slow the age-related decline in immune response. Micronutrient enriched foods showed no effect. As infectious diseases can have debilitating or even fatal consequences for the elderly, prevention of the age-related decline in CIR could significantly improve their quality of life.