Is COVID-19-associated cytokine storm distinct from non-COVID-19 secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis?

Abstract

Cytokine storm is an umbrella term that describes an inflammatory syndrome characterized by elevated levels of circulating cytokines and hyperactivation of innate and/or adaptive immune cells. One type of cytokine storm is hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), which can be either primary or secondary. Severe COVID-19-associated pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) can also lead to cytokine storm/cytokine release syndrome (CS/CRS) and, more rarely, meet criteria for the diagnosis of secondary HLH. Here, we review the immunobiology of primary and secondary HLH and examine whether COVID-19-associated CS/CRS can be discriminated from non-COVID-19 secondary HLH. Finally, we review differences in immunobiology between these different entities, which may inform both clinical diagnosis and treatment of patients.