Cytokine storm of a different flavour: The different cytokine signature of SARS-CoV-2, the cause of COVID-19, from the original SARS outbreak

J Glob Antimicrob Resist. 2021 Mar:24:90-92. doi: 10.1016/j.jgar.2020.11.005. Epub 2020 Nov 23.

Abstract

Here we present a case series of three patients with COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) who had a cytokine panel that revealed elevation of interleukin-6 (IL-6) but normal levels of interleukin-10 (IL-10), interferon-gamma (INF-γ) and interleukin-8 (IL-8), in contrast to the cytokine signature described in severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). We also documented evidence of a compromised T-cell IFN-γ response in two of these patients.

Keywords: COVID-19; Cytokine storm; Cytokines; Interleukin-6; SARS-CoV-2.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19 / blood
  • COVID-19 / epidemiology
  • COVID-19 / immunology*
  • Coronavirus Infections / blood
  • Coronavirus Infections / epidemiology
  • Coronavirus Infections / immunology*
  • Cytokine Release Syndrome*
  • Cytokines / blood
  • Cytokines / immunology*
  • Epidemics
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • New York / epidemiology
  • SARS-CoV-2 / isolation & purification
  • Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / blood
  • Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / epidemiology
  • Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology

Substances

  • Cytokines