Figure 3.

Kinetics of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Viral Load Following Infection, in Parallel with the Interferon (IFN) α/β Response and the Evolution of Inflammatory Cytokines.

Top: Illustrates the case of most individuals in the population who remain asymptomatic or paucisymptomatic. In these individuals, efficient antiviral immune responses – characterized by significant production of IFNα/β and limited production of inflammatory cytokines – can lead to virus eradication [1]. Bottom: Illustrates the case of patients more severely affected by the virus. These patients show ineffective/delayed production of IFNα/β, uncontrolled viral load, and subsequent overproduction of inflammatory cytokines (cytokine storm) [1]. In the latter case, we propose that antivirals should be administered to patients as soon as possible, and maintained, whereas immunomodulators should be given when the disease worsens because of harmful inflammation. Abbreviation: TGFβ, transforming growth factor β.