Hong Kong Med J 2009;15(Suppl 8):S38-41
Role of cytokines and chemokines in severe and complicated influenza infections
NLS Lee
Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong
1. Exuberant systemic cytokine and chemokine responses are present in naturally occurring influenza infection. These are associated with more severe clinical manifestations, and can be linked to uncontrolled viral replication and signalling molecule hyperactivation.
2. Early antiviral treatment may suppress these harmful cytokine/chemokine responses.
2. Early antiviral treatment may suppress these harmful cytokine/chemokine responses.