Background: Several inflammatory cytokines are upregulated in severe
COVID-19 MESHD. We compared cytokines in
COVID-19 MESHD versus influenza in order to define differentiating features of the inflammatory response to these pathogens and their association with severe disease. Because elevated body mass index (BMI) is a known risk factor for severe
COVID-19 MESHD, we examined the relationship of BMI to cytokines associated with severe disease. Methods: Thirty-seven cytokines and chemokines were measured in plasma from 145 patients with
COVID-19 MESHD, 57 patients with influenza, and 30 healthy controls. Controlling for BMI, age, and sex, differences in cytokines between groups were determined by linear regression and random forest prediction was utilized to determine the cytokines most important in distinguishing severe
COVID-19 MESHD and influenza. Mediation analysis was utilized to identify cytokines that mediate the effect of BMI on disease severity. Results:
IL-18 HGNC,
IL-1{beta HGNC},
IL-6 HGNC, and
TNF HGNC- were significantly increased in
COVID-19 MESHD versus influenza patients while
GM-CSF HGNC, IFN-{gamma}, IFN-{lambda}1,
IL-10 HGNC,
IL-15 HGNC, and
MCP-2 HGNC were significantly elevated in the influenza group. In subgroup analysis based on disease severity,
IL-18 HGNC,
IL-6 HGNC, and
TNF HGNC- were elevated in severe
COVID-19 MESHD, but not severe influenza. Random forest analysis identified high
IL-6 HGNC and low
IFN-{lambda}1 HGNC levels as the most distinct between severe
COVID-19 MESHD and severe influenza. Finally,
IL-1RA HGNC was identified as a potential mediator of the effects of BMI on
COVID-19 MESHD severity. Conclusions: These findings point to activation of fundamentally different innate immune pathways in SARS-CoV-2 and
influenza infection MESHD, and emphasize drivers of severe
COVID-19 MESHD to focus both mechanistic and therapeutic investigations.