Type I IFN immunoprofiling in COVID-19 patients

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, which causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), is characterized by a wide spectrum of disease encompassing asymptomatic carriage, mild to severe upper respiratory tract illness that can evolve into respiratory failure, or rapidly progressing severe viral pneumonia with acute respiratory distress syndrome. Disease severity depends on viral strain, and host risk factors have been identified such as age and male sex. In addition, an excessive immune response has been identified in patients showing a cytokine storm associated with acute respiratory distress syndrome.