• Betcy Susan Johnson and Malini Laloraya.
• Female Reproduction and Metabolic Syndromes Laboratory, Division of Molecular Reproduction, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram, 695 014, Kerala, India; Research Centre Kerala University, Senate House Campus, Palayam, Thiruvananthapuram, India.
• Cytokine Growth Factor Rev. 2020 Aug 1; 54: 32-42.

AbstractThe seventh human coronavirus SARS-CoV2 belongs to the cluster of extremely pathogenic coronaviruses including SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV, which can cause fatal lower respiratory tract infection. Likewise, SARS-CoV2 infection can be fatal as the disease advances to pneumonia, followed by acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The development of lethal clinical symptons is associated with an exaggerated production of inflammatory cytokines, referred to as the cytokine storm, is a consequence of a hyperactivated immune response aginst the infection. In this article, we discuss the pathogenic consequences of the cytokine storm and its relationship with COVID-19 associated risk factors. The increased pro-inflammatory immune status in patients with risk factors (diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, COPD) exacerbates the Cytokine-storm of COVID-19 into a 'Cytokine Super Cyclone'. We also evaluate the antiviral immune responses provided by BCG vaccination and the potential role of 'trained immunity' in early protection against SARS-CoV2.Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

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