Characterization of the Inflammatory Response to Severe COVID-19 Illness

Abstract Rationale Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a global threat to health. Its inflammatory characteristics are incompletely understood. Objectives To define the cytokine profile of COVID-19 and to identify evidence of immunometabolic alterations in those with severe illness. Methods Levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and sTNFR1 (soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor 1) were assessed in plasma from healthy volunteers, hospitalized but stable patients with COVID-19 (COVIDstable patients), patients with COVID-19 requiring ICU admission (COVIDICU patients), and patients with severe community-acquired pneumonia requiring ICU support (CAPICU patients). Immunometabolic markers were measured in circulating…