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6994505 
Journal Article 
The COVID-19 Cytokine Storm; What We Know So Far 
Ragab, D; Salah Eldin, H; Taeimah, M; Khattab, R; Salem, R; , 
2020 
1 
Frontiers in Immunology
EISSN: 1664-3224 
FRONTIERS MEDIA SA 
LAUSANNE 
11 
32612617 
WOS:000546114400001 
COVID-19 is a rapidly spreading global threat that has been declared as a pandemic by the WHO. COVID-19 is transmitted via droplets or direct contact and infects the respiratory tract resulting in pneumonia in most of the cases and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in about 15 % of the cases. Mortality in COVID-19 patients has been linked to the presence of the so-called "cytokine storm" induced by the virus. Excessive production of proinflammatory cytokines leads to ARDS aggravation and widespread tissue damage resulting in multi-organ failure and death. Targeting cytokines during the management of COVID-19 patients could improve survival rates and reduce mortality. 
COVID-19; cytokine; storm; ARDS; IL-6