Cytokine storms associated with respiratory virus infection and targeted therapy strategies

ABSTRACT

Since December 2019, the novel coronavirus (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, SARS-CoV-2) infection has broken out worldwide, causing enormous social and economic burdens. Sudden exacerbations in SARS - CoV -2 infected people may be caused by infection - related cytokine storms. The basic state of the body and the strength of the immune response determine the prognosis of SARS-CoV-2. The interaction between proinflammatory factors and anti - inflammatory factors, and continued proinflammatory response cause lung edema, exudation, progression to acute respiratory distress syndrome involving the lung tissues and organs, multi - organ failure, and even death. The efficacy of antiviral therapy alone for immune complications like cytokine storm during viral infection is not ideal, and the targeted therapy of cytokines has become a potentially popular therapeutic strategy. Early identification and appropriate treatment of immune complications contribute to reduce the morbidity and mortality of severe viral infections. © 2021 Heilongjiang Institute of Science and Technology Information. All rights reserved.