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

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