A Cytokine Circus with a Viral Ringleader: SARS-CoV-2-Associated Cytokine Storm Syndromes

Trends Mol Med. 2020 Dec;26(12):1078-1085. doi: 10.1016/j.molmed.2020.09.012. Epub 2020 Sep 30.

Abstract

An unbridled host immune response to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is likely to underlie severe cases of the disease and has been labeled a 'cytokine storm syndrome' (CSS). Here, we emphasize that categorization of syndromes triggered by a completely novel pathogen based on other seemingly similar, but potentially distinct, known entities is an inherently risky endeavor.

Keywords: COVID-19;cytokine storm syndrome; inflammation; multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children; severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; virology.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • COVID-19 / complications*
  • COVID-19 / etiology
  • COVID-19 / immunology
  • COVID-19 / virology
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cytokine Release Syndrome / etiology*
  • Cytokine Release Syndrome / immunology
  • Cytokine Release Syndrome / virology
  • Cytokines / blood
  • Host Microbial Interactions / immunology
  • Humans
  • Models, Immunological
  • Pandemics
  • SARS-CoV-2 / immunology
  • SARS-CoV-2 / pathogenicity
  • Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome / etiology*
  • Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome / immunology
  • Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome / virology
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Cytokines

Supplementary concepts

  • pediatric multisystem inflammatory disease, COVID-19 related