Underlying the multiple organ failure was a severe SIRS/sepsis response, despite initial leukopenia, with extremely high levels of IL-6 (20,000 pg/mL) and IL-8 (24,656 pg/mL), exudative alveolar edema, systemic vasoplegia, and marked capillary leak syndrome. Here, CXCL8 is linked to capillary leak syndrome.