What is a Cytokine Storm and How Does it Impact COVID-19 Patients?

The immune system has an impressive ability to respond to various pathogens.
Normal anti-viral immune response requires the activation of the inflammatory pathways of the immune system.

#Cytokines are produced by immune cells that are part of the innate immune response including macrophages, dendritic cells, natural killer cells and the adaptive T and B lymphocytes.
An unchecked and overexuberant immune response, known as a cytokine storm can lead to irreversible tissue damage.

This has been recognized in severe and critical COVID-19 patients. The “cytokine storm” results from a sudden acute increase in circulating levels of different pro-inflammatory cytokines including IL-6, IL-1, TNF-α, and interferon, which has destructive effects on human tissue.

Cytokine storm may cause acute respiratory distress syndrome and is the major cause of death in COVID-19 patients. An elevated level of IL-6 may be an early indicator that a patient is at risk of cytokine storm and acute respiratory distress.

Measuring the IL-6 level may help assess disease progression and help physicians develop treatment plans.

Beckman Coulter offers a suite of diagnostic solutions to help physicians manage the care of COVID-19 patients including an assay that measures IL-6.

Beckman Coulter continues to explore diagnostic approaches to address challenges the pandemic is imposing on health systems around the world.

For more information about Beckman Coulter in the fight against COVID-19, visit www.BeckmanCoulter.com/coronavirus

#COVID19 #Healthcare #CytokineStorm

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