On the alert for cytokine storm: Immunopathology in COVID-19

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is sweeping across the globe. Most patients have mild to moderate symptoms, but a subgroup will become severely ill. Sepsis, respiratory failure, and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are common complications of the disease.(1) Factors associated with ICU admission and death include older age, comorbid conditions, elevated body mass index, lymphopenia, and elevated transaminases, LDH, D-dimer, ferritin, and soluble IL-2 receptor (sIL-2R).(1-4).