Question: Consider the following statements:
(1) The term Cytokine storm is used in COVID 19 disease.
(2) A cytokine storm is an overproduction of immune cells and their activating compounds.
Choose the correct:
(a) Only(1)
(b) Only(2)
(c) Both (1) and (2)
(d) None of the above
Answer:(c)
Related facts:
- Diseases such as covid-19 and influenza can be fatal due to an overreaction of the body’s immune system called a cytokine storm.
Cytokine storm:
- A cytokine storm is an overproduction of immune cells and their activating compounds (cytokines), which, in a flu infection, is often associated with a surge of activated immune cells into the lungs.
- The resulting lung inflammation and fluid buildup can lead to respiratory distress and can be contaminated by a secondary bacterial pneumonia — often enhancing the mortality in patients.
- Cytokine storms are associated with a wide variety of infectious and noninfectious diseases.
- The term was popularized largely in the context of avian H5N1 influenza virus infection, bringing the term into popular media.
Role of cytokines in the immune system:
- Cytokines are signalling proteins that are released by cells at local high concentrations — a cytokine storm or CSS is characterised by the overproduction of immune cells and the cytokines themselves because of a dysregulation in the process.
- A severe immune reaction, leading to the secretion of too many cytokines in the bloodstream, can be harmful since an excess of immune cells can attack healthy tissue as well.
By-Achyutanand Pandey
Links:
https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-cytokine-storms-or-when-the-bodys-own-immune-system-leads-to-covid-19-deaths-6346145/
https://www.sinobiological.com/resource/cytokines/cytokine-storm
https://www.newscientist.com/term/cytokine-storm/