Re-evaluating cytokine storm syndromes: dysregulated host defense or contextual immune adaptation?

Key Points

• The research aims to clarify the concept of cytokine storm syndromes and their underlying mechanisms.
• Reviewed existing literature on cytokine storm syndromes.
• Analyzed cases across infectious, inflammatory, and iatrogenic contexts.
• Critically evaluated definitions and mechanistic explanations of cytokine storms.
• Cytokine storm syndromes demonstrate varied definitions across different diseases.
• Mechanistic imprecision complicates understanding of host defense responses.
• Contextual immune adaptation plays a significant role in immunopathology.