cytokine storm syndrome

noun

plural cytokine storm syndromes
: a sometimes life-threatening, systemic inflammatory condition that results from an aggressive immune response involving over-activation of immune cells (such as T cells in response to immunotherapy or infection) which release excessive cytokines in the body in an uncontrolled fashion and that is characterized especially by fever, fatigue, headache, rash, or muscle or joint pain and may progress to more serious symptoms including hypotension, increased heart rate, capillary leakage, edema, hypoxia, multiple organ failure, and sometimes death : the syndrome resulting from a cytokine storm : cytokine release syndrome
Researchers in the UK have warned that a significant number of patients with severe Covid-19 infections may have so-called cytokine storm syndrome, in which their immune system triggers severe inflammation.Robert Matthews
Influenza is also associated with a cytokine storm syndrome in adolescents and young adults.Stephen I. Pelton
abbreviation CSS

Word History

First Known Use

2008, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cytokine storm syndrome was in 2008

Dictionary Entries Near cytokine storm syndrome

Cite this Entry

“Cytokine storm syndrome.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cytokine%20storm%20syndrome. Accessed 19 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

cytokine storm syndrome

noun
: a sometimes life-threatening, systemic inflammatory condition that results from an aggressive immune response involving over-activation of immune cells (as T cells in response to immunotherapy or infection) which release excessive cytokines in the body in an uncontrolled fashion and that is characterized especially by fever, fatigue, headache, rash, or muscle or joint pain and may progress to more serious symptoms including hypotension, increased heart rate, capillary leakage, edema, hypoxia, multiple organ failure, and sometimes death : the syndrome resulting from a cytokine storm : cytokine release syndrome
The COVID-19 incubation period is up to two weeks. … Clinical presentation, radiologic findings, and disease course are further affected by severity of the cytokine-mediated inflammation (e.g., cytokine storm syndrome).Jeffrey C. Hellinger et al., Applied Radiology
The out-of-control inflammatory reaction, which specialists call cytokine storm syndrome, can damage the lungs, heart and other organs, researchers say.Peter Fimrite, San Francisco Chronicle
abbreviation CSS
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