Definition and Risks of Cytokine Release Syndrome in 11 Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients With Pneumonia: Analysis of Disease Characteristics

J Infect Dis. 2020 Oct 1;222(9):1444-1451. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiaa387.

Abstract

Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients with severe immune abnormalities are at risk of cytokine release syndrome (CRS). The definition, prevention, and treatment of symptoms of CRS in critically ill patients with COVID-19 are important problems. We report a single-center case series of 11 COVID-19 patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome from The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University in China from 26 January 2020 to 18 February 2020. The termination date of follow-up was 19 February 2020. Eight patients were determined to have characteristics of CRS, including pulmonary inflammation, fever, and dysfunction of nonpulmonary organs. An increase in interleukin-6 in peripheral blood was the highest risk factor and an early indicator of CRS in COVID-19.

Keywords: COVID-19; IL-6; cytokine release syndrome; immunophenotype; severe/critical pneumonia.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Betacoronavirus
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • COVID-19
  • Coronavirus Infections / blood
  • Coronavirus Infections / complications
  • Coronavirus Infections / immunology*
  • Critical Illness
  • Cytokine Release Syndrome / blood*
  • Cytokine Release Syndrome / immunology
  • Cytokine Release Syndrome / virology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-6 / blood*
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pandemics
  • Pneumonia, Viral / blood*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / complications
  • Pneumonia, Viral / immunology
  • Pneumonia, Viral / virology
  • Prognosis
  • Risk Factors
  • SARS-CoV-2

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • IL6 protein, human
  • Interleukin-6