Table 1.

Clinical and laboratory features of cytokine storm syndrome reported in COVID-19 patients and their relationship to cytokine storm syndrome criteria.

HLH-04 Criteria9HScore8Ferritin:ESR Ratio7COVID-19 Features3,4,5,24,25
FeverFeverYes
SplenomegalySplenomegalyUnknown
HepatomegalyUnknown
AnemiaAnemiaYes
ThrombocytopeniaThrombocytopeniaYes
NeutropeniaNeutropeniaYes
HypertriglyceridemiaHypertriglyceridemiaUnknown
HypofibrinogenemiaHypofibrinogenemiaYes
HemophagocytosisHemophagocytosisUnknown
Low NK cell activityUnknown
HyperferritinemiaHyperferritinemiaHyperferritinemiaYes
Elevated soluble CD25Elevated soluble CD25Yes
Elevated serum GGTUnknown, but AST and ALT elevated
Underlying immunosuppressionSome with HIV infection
Falling ESRUnknown
  • COVID-19: coronavirus disease 2019; HLH: hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis; ESR: erythrocyte sedimentation rate; ALT: alanine aminotransferase; AST: aspartate aminotransferase; HIV: human immunodeficiency virus; NK: natural killer; GGT: gamma-glutamyl transferase.