Cytokine Release Syndrome and Sepsis Analogous Clinical Syndromes with Distinct Causes and Challenges in Management

This review provides a broad framework for understanding CRS and other closely related syndromes. We have discussed several triggers of CRS, along with clinical syndromes that share significant overlap with both CRS and sepsis. Fig. 1 details CRS-associated conditions and shows the overlap between CRS and sepsis, along with the interplay of HLH and the COVID-19 pandemic. Given that both CRS and sepsis are clinical syndromes rather than distinct diseases, identifying and classifying patients at the bedside as having one or the other, or both, will remain challenging. The backbone for treatment of both CRS and sepsis remains excellent supportive care to maintain oxygenation and end-organ perfusion, with a focus on making the distinction quickly such that targeted therapies can be used.