The cytokine storm and its correlation with lung damage in COVID-19

Powerful cytokine production in patients with SARS-CoV2-induced pneumonia gives a practical exhibition and explanation of medical intervention. Most patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection expanded mild symptoms, whereas some patients later developed more serious disease symptoms, and eventually died because of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS), as a result of a severe cytokine storm. The cytokine storm noticed in COVID-19 disease is also an important portion of mortality in other viral diseases, including MERS, SARS, and influenza. One of the most paramount complications of Corona virus disease (COVID- 2) is the development of an atypical upper respiratory tract pneumonia. An uncommon and uncontrolled manufacture of cytokines has been noticed in critically ill patients with COVID-19 pneumonia contributing to the causes of mortality among them. COVID-19 illness participates similarities with other viral diseases such as SARS, influenza and MERS, where the development of a cytokine storm is an impending danger sign of disease growth. Etiology of the mortality among SARS-CoV-2 infected patients is due to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MOD). Monitoring of the cytokine levels is very important strategy as a diagnostic tool should be applied to improve the curative rate and reduce mortality. The serious role of cytokine storm in the pathogenesis and progression of COVID-19 pneumonia was clinically observed via the presence of severe pneumonia associated with induced hypercytokinemia.

Ref: Cytokine storm intervention in the early stages of COVID-19 pneumonia. Xinjuan Sun, Tianyuan Wanga, Dayong Caib, Zhiwei Hu, Jin’an Chen, Hui Liao,  Liming Zhi, Hongxia Wei, Zhihong Zhang, Yuying Qiu, Jing Wang, AipingWang, (2020). Cytokine & Growth Factor Reviews.