Hypercytokinemia and Hyperactivation of Phospho-p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase in Severe Human Influenza A Virus Infection

Abstract

Hypercytokinemia (of proinflammatory and T helper 1 cytokines) is detected in severe influenza, correlating with clinical illness and virus concentration. Hyperactivation of phospho-p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (in T helper cells) is possibly involved. Early viral suppression may attenuate these potentially deleterious cytokine responses.